Westmeath’s Hackett denies resignation rumours

WESTMEATH manager Brendan Hackett denied rumours that he had stepped down from the position yesterday evening, following earlier reports that he had been forced out by the latest example of player power.

Some media outlets had claimed prematurely that the former Athletics Ireland chief executive had given his notice on Wednesday evening after meeting with players for what were described as ‘crisis talks’.

Disgruntled players had met with county board officials to discuss the situation regarding the senior footballers last Monday night and followed that up with a discussion with Hackett himself on Wednesday.

That came immediately after the panel’s first training session since their NFL loss to Tipperary – their seventh of the campaign – and after the manager had already named his panel for the forthcoming championship.

Football board chairman Des Maguire has supported Hackett’s stance that he has not walked away while also giving him his continued backing and describing the Monaghan native as a “gentleman”.

There were further reports that Hackett was due to meet with county board and football board officials either last night or tonight to agree the best way forward after what appears to be the latest outbreak of player power in the GAA.

Though the players have been central to unfolding events this week, it is unclear how many are openly against Hackett continuing as manager as none have been willing to go on the record to discuss any grievances.

Although Hackett had managed both Longford and Offaly before, his appointment in Westmeath came as a surprise as he had been away from the GAA scene for some time during which he was better known in athletics circles.

He got the nod last September ahead of Dessie Dolan Snr, who wasn’t even afforded an interview by county officials, and one follow-on from that was the decision by Dessie Dolan Jnr not to play for the county this year.

The new man also had to do without former All Star defender John Keane who retired from inter-county football late last year while another key forward, Denis Glennon, walked away in February.

Having lost all seven Division One games under Tomas O Flatharta last year, Westmeath suffered an identical fate in the second tier earlier this spring. The only bright spot came when he led the U21s to a Leinster final.

Eleven of those U21s appeared in his recently revealed championship panel and Hackett has been consistent in his assertion that he is building for the future. Whether he stays on for the remainder of his first season or not, it is difficult to see Westmeath having much of a say in the 2010 championship.