Flanagan feels heat on Twitter

Westmeath boss Pat Flanagan is reeling from severe internet criticism from a number of county footballers, including members of his senior squad.

Flanagan has been rocked by the emergence of an online Twitter tirade against his leadership by a number of stars, including John Egan and Tommy Warburton, who are part of the Lake County panel for tomorrow’s Allianz Football League Division 2 clash with Galway. Former U21 player Tommy McDaniel and former senior panellists Denis Corroon and Conor Lynam have also been giving their opinions.

Flanagan has borne the brunt of criticism in Westmeath following opening defeats to Louth and Meath.

Corroon added to the tirade by suggesting that Westmeath teams are released to the media before the players are informed.

He tweeted: “Good at giving the team out to the media before the players themselves too #disgrace.”

Egan responded: “Can’t understand that – seems media comes first with Westmeath GAA.”

Two days ago, McDaniel voiced his displeasure with the current set-up. After first revealing his frustration at being overage for this year’s U21 campaign, McDaniel looked ahead to next Wednesday’s clash with Carlow.

Flanagan is also in charge of the U21s and McDaniel predicted: “If Westmeath get a proper system with good management in place, we will win a Leinster (U21) champ in the next 5 years.”

In conversation with Corroon, McDaniel qualified this statement by adding: “If we actually get a good young manager, fresh ideas and good training, the players are there.”

It appeared that Warburton was trying to distance himself from the accusations, when he wrote: “It’s not all on him in fairness but…”