Hackett resigns as Westmeath manager

Brendan Hackett has resigned from his role as Westmeath senior and Under-21 football manager, following a meeting with the senior panel last night.

A statement released by the Westmeath County Board today read: "It is with regret that the Westmeath County Board confirms the resignation of senior and U-21 county football manager Brendan Hackett and his backroom team.

"Brendan Hackett contacted County Chairman Tom Farrell to confirm his decision after meeting with the full panel of players last night.

"Westmeath GAA would like to acknowledge Brendan's contribution to Westmeath football, especially with our U-21 team bringing them to the Leinster U-21 final.

"The Westmeath County Board will meet next Wednesday night to discuss the vacant managerial position."

There was growing unrest among the senior players after Westmeath went through a second successive Allianz National Football League campaign without a single win.

Their recent relegation to Division 3 was a bitter pill for Hackett to swallow in his first year in charge, and the players made it clear in recent days that he had lost the support of the dressing room.

Hackett was a surprise choice as Westmeath's new manager last September, being better known in athletics circles as a coach, sports psychologist and former Chief Executive of Athletics Ireland.

Hackett succeeded Tomas O Flatharta in the position, with previous experience as manager of Longford and Offaly and trainer of the Ireland International Rules squad.

The Monaghan man came on board with the Lake County less than eight months ago, and gave an Olympic flavour to his backroom team with the appointment of Barcelona gold medallist Michael Carruth as masseur and top canoeist Eoin Rheinisch as strength & conditioning trainer.

But the positive build-up to the 2010 season did not transfer onto the pitch as Westmeath bowed out of the O'Byrne Cup to DCU and suffered seven straight defeats in NFL Division 2.

Hackett insisted that the side is currently "in transition" and that given time, the right results would come. But with talismanic forward Dessie Dolan opting not to join up with the panel for the league campaign and Denis Glennon, another key attacker, also taking time out, the mood in the camp was decidedly low.

Indeed, it seems that Dolan's own father, Dessie Dolan snr, is a front runner to be installed as Westmeath's new manager. The County Board are eager to move quickly on a replacement for Hackett, with their Leinster Championship opener against Wicklow or Carlow fixed for June 6.