Hackett surprise choice in Westmeath

BRENDAN HACKETT was last night surprisingly named new Westmeath football manager.

Hackett, a native of Monaghan, was formerly manager of the Longford and Offaly senior football teams.

Hackett, a sports psychologist, was formerly CEO of Athletics Ireland but resigned from the position last year. Hackett takes over from former manager Thomas O Flatharta who held the reins for the past four years, but who resigned after this year’s defeat to Meath in the qualifiers.

Hackett, who was part of the International Rules backroom team, specialises in team fitness but has been out of the inter-county management scene for a number of years. The decision to name him as the new manager came as a surprise when others such as Clara’s Pat Flanagan and Dessie Dolan senior had been mentioned as serious contenders.

Joe Kernan is expected to be confirmed as new Galway football manager tonight.

Kernan and former Westmeath manager Tomas O Flatharta have been interviewed and the five-man sub-committee overseeing the process will forward their choice for ratification tonight.

Meanwhile former Armagh player Neil Smyth has emerged as the only official contender for the county manager’s job.

The Mullaghbawn man was nominated along with Michael McConville and Justin McNulty by clubs to succeed Peter McDonnell. But while McConville and McNulty pulled out of the race Smyth may not have it all his own way.

Crossmaglen leged Donal Murtagh has confirmed that he’d consider the position.

Murtagh led Cross’ to the 2007 All-Ireland club title, winning three as a player, but is out of a job since their shock county SFC loss to Pearse Og.

Intriguingly, Murtagh says he’d also listen to a job offer from neighbours Louth who parted company with long serving manager Eamonn McEnaney on Monday night.

“I wasn’t approached with regard to either but, yes, I would consider them if I was,” said Murtagh.

A five man committee is in place in Armagh to source a new manager.

They were rocked last week by the decision of Paul Grimley, the favourite for the job, to take up a position with Monaghan.