Ó Sé to quit Westmeath following defeat

Ó Sé quits Westmeath following defeat

Westmeath 0-9 Clare 0-12

Páidi Ó Sé has sensationally quit as Westmeath manager this afternoon following his side’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier loss to Clare at Cusack Park.

Ó Sé, who took over as the Lake county's football boss in 2003, ended his midlands term on a sombre note as his side, despite outscoring Clare in the second half, bowed out in the second round of qualifiers.

Ó Sé, who guided Westmeath to their first ever Leinster SFC title twelve months ago, admitted afterwards: "It's very much looking like I won't be there for another term at all. I'm going to take a time-out now."

Clare set up a third round tie with regular opponents Sligo as they founded their Ennis victory on a strong first half showing.

David Russell clipped over three points as the Banner men led 0-6 to 0-2 at the break. The home side did miss out on a goal chance when full-forward Stephen Hickey's early goal shot rebounded off a Westmeath upright.

Missing the likes of Dessie Dolan and Paul Conway up front, Westmeath did rally well in the second half.

Denis Glennon added two frees to his first half effort, and David Glennon and Alan Mangan pieced together four points between them.

It was not enough however as late points from Rory Donnelly and Odran O'Dwyer sealed the John Kennedy-managed Clare's passage through.