Flanagan to stay at Westmeath helm

Pat Flanagan will continue as Westmeath senior football manager into the 2012 season, after securing the support of the Westmeath Football Board.

It is believed that Flanagan was given a two-to-one majority when delegates took part in a secret ballot last night.

In the first season of his two-year term, the Clara man guided Westmeath to promotion from Division 3 of the Allianz League. However, they bowed out of the Championship on the backs of losses to Wexford and Antrim.

Members of the local media were barred from last night's specially-convened Football Board meeting in Mullingar. This follows the recent publication of comments from Westmeath captain Denis Glennon criticising the County Board.

At last night's meeting it was confirmed that the County Board will issue a statement in response to the criticism levelled at them by Glennon.

Glennon was angered by the board's handling of Flanagan's reappointment. He had to survive a vote of no confidence which was later withdrawn, as delegates failed to ratify him at a meeting on August 3.

A seven-man committee was then put in place to review Flanagan's first year at the helm, comprising of County Board chairman Tom Farrell, County Board Secretary Pat Lynagh, Football Board Chairman Liam Gavin, Football Board Secretary Gerry Coyne and delegates Aiden McGuire (The Downs), Paddy Whelehan (St Mary's) and John Cunningham (Ballymore).

Glennon spoke in favour of Flanagan's reappointment during an interview published in this week's Westmeath Topic, while he also accused the County Board of failing to look after the needs of the players during the 2011 campaign.