McHugh linked with vacant Westmeath position

Outgoing Westmeath senior football coach Mark McHugh is being heavily linked with the vacant managerial position as the county move quickly to replace Dermot McCabe, who left to manage his native Cavan.

The 2012 Donegal All-Ireland SFC winner was a key part of the Westmeath set-up this year and could be set to step up after McCabe stepped down as manager after just one season to take charge of his native Cavan.

If appointed, it would be McHugh’s first senior inter-county management role, having previously worked with Roscommon in 2023 and Galway giants Moycullen last year. He is highly regarded by the Westmeath players and his appointment would ensure continuity with the outgoing management, though it remains to be seen if he would be willing to continue his long commute to the midlands from Donegal.

The search for a new Westmeath senior football manager came under discussion at the August County Committee meeting of Westmeath GAA, where a five-man sub-committee was appointed to oversee the process. The group comprises chairman Frank Mescall, secretary Keith Quinn, football committee chair Niall O’Brien and former Westmeath senior football manager Jack Cooney, with scope to add a recently retired player to their number. Kevin Maguire was mentioned as a possible addition in this regard, and it is hoped the vacancy will be filled expeditiously.

Locals Damien Gavin, Kenny McKinley and two-time All-Star John Keane – who have all managed Westmeath at U21 / U20 level – have also been mentioned as potential successors to McCabe, along with Enfield-based Lar Wall, who managed The Downs to a Leinster club SFC final in 2022 but is currently in charge of Dublin side St Jude’s.

Westmeath are back in Division 3 having been relegated this year and they will be targeting promotion, plus a big run run in the Tailteann Cup.