End of Renault deal with Westmeath sparks debate at meeting

Whether Westmeath GAA’s new sponsors will have an impact on who manages the Westmeath senior footballers next year was a source of discussion at last week’s County Committee meeting.

Renault’s term has come to an end after three years and Westmeath GAA is in negotiation with a prospective sponsor. Milltownpass delegate Shane Donoghue felt it would influence a new manager coming to the county and Multyfarnham’s Mark Bardon was in agreement.

Westmeath GAA hairman Frank Mescall suggested the sponsorship situation was leaked. “How it got out, I don’t know. We are in talks, and the people we are in talks with have asked that we keep it in-house. We respect their wishes,” he said.

The good news is an announcement on a new sponsor is imminent, though a number of weeks away. Mr Mescall was adamant a new sponsor will have no impact on deciding the next senior football manager:

However, Mark Bardon disagreed with the chairman. “I actually think it does have an impact. The exposure the manager and the county team is getting (is important). It’s all to do with exposure,” he observed.

“When sponsors come on board, they want as much exposure as possible for their investment in a sponsorship deal.”

The chairman took Mr Bardon’s views on board, but replied: “I don’t see how that (a new sponsor) will impact a new manager coming to us.”