Paul Keane takes a look at five managers under pressure in football.

The Red Hands are battle-hardened, writes Paul Keane.

Tom Cribbin and those who know him, there was poetic symmetry to his Westmeath side’s 10-point comeback victory over Meath. As an Ironman veteran, Cribbin knows all about perseverance and absorbing pain to make gain.

Tom Cribbin admitted it was a little ‘miracle’ to emerge from the depths of despair grasping a Leinster final place, but the man who actually conjured it, Kieran Martin, could only shrug.

Westmeath 3-19 Meath 2-18: To put all the madness in its proper context, consider where Westmeath were exactly a year ago to the day.

Peter Leahy and Liam McHale have become embroiled in a war of words, with McHale denying he agreed to be part of the proposed backroom team to take charge of the Westmeath footballers.

Kilkenny star Henry Shefflin remains non-committal on his inter-county future — but revealed that he is looking forward to making a decision later in the year.

Offaly GAA chiefs are closing in on Pat Flanagan to replace Emmet McDonnell as the next county football manager.

Kerry’s Martin Horgan is expected to be ratified as the new Waterford football manager later this month.

Westmeath chairman Sean Sheridan has hit out at the decision of club delegates to remove Paul Bealin as Lake County football boss.

Jim Gavin has commended the restraint of Eoghan O’Gara in the face of intense provocation in last month’s Leinster final.

Former Dublin footballer John O’Leary has called on Monaghan to throw down the gauntlet to Jim Gavin’s side, claiming the "rope-a-dope tactics" typically employed against the All-Ireland champions are a waste of time.

Dublin’s awesome rise is now a growing concern

Westmeath chairman John Sheridan has slammed John Heslin’s remarks claiming senior footballers have not been paid expenses for the past four months.

Cavan 1-15 Westmeath 1-14

Niall McDermott's second-half goal proved the boost Cavan needed as they finally inflicted a 12th competitive defeat in a row on Westmeath.

Louth 1-14 Westmeath 1-9

Louth 1-14 Westmeath 1-9

Kildare 1-22 Westmeath 0-8

Westmeath 0-13 Kerry 2-15

Former All Star goalkeeper Gary Connaughton has returned to the Westmeath panel for the remainder of the league and could be involved in the Championship.

WESTMEATH 0-13 KERRY 2-15

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has made seven changes to the side that were humiliated by Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium last week.

When you’re rock bottom in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League, it is hard to find many positives.

WESTMEATH 3-9 MAYO 2-17

Derry 3-16 Westmeath 0-12

“A top of the table league clash,” Brian McIver repeats. And he beams.

Derry 3-16 Westmeath 0-12

Dublin 0-14 Westmeath 1-7

Westmeath manager Paul Bealin is optimistic his outfit will stay the course against All-Ireland champions Dublin on Sunday.

Fear of picking up a black card has defenders running scared, according to four inter-county managers.

Westmeath manager Paul Bealin was being realistic about yesterday’s game. There were positives for him and his players, but he didn’t hide from the story told by the scoreboard.

Galway football has been dealt a massive blow with news that defender Colin Forde will miss their entire 2014 campaign after emigrating to England.

The lure of Division 1 football persuaded Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan to extend his inter-county career.

A false dawn is how Football Review Committee (FRC) chairman Eugene McGee viewed this weekend’s debut for the black card.

Westmeath 0-11 Dublin 0-12

All-Ireland champions Dublin and reigning O'Byrne Cup champions Kildare claimed first round wins in the Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup today, while Longford, Wexford, Offaly, Meath and Wicklow were also victorious this afternoon.

All-Ireland winning Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has indicated he’s not prepared to accommodate a dual role for Ciarán Kilkenny in 2014.

Westmeath GAA has received a timely boost just as the Paul Bealin era is about to begin for their footballers with the announcement of a new three-year sponsorship deal.

Former inter-county football referee John Bannon has warned there will be confusion in administering the black card relating to diving and body checks.

New Westmeath manager Paul Bealin has criticised the Football Review Committee (FRC) for not recommending a change to the college football calendar.

Pat Flanagan has been ratified as manager of the Sligo senior footballers for 2014.