Bealin to succeed Flanagan as Westmeath boss

Paul Bealin is set to make his return to inter-county management with the Westmeath senior footballers, taking over from the Lakesiders' outgoing boss Pat Flanagan.

Bealin, who had spells in charge of Wexford and Carlow previously, is due to be ratified as the new Westmeath boss at a meeting of the County Board tonight.

The 1995 All-Ireland winning midfielder has been managing Dublin club Parnell's of late and his managerial CV also includes stints with his own Ballyboden St. Enda's (player-manager), Cavan side Mullahoran and Monasterevin in Kildare.

Despite the satisfying nature of Westmeath's promotion from Division 2 earlier this year, they endured a disappointing summer campaign under Flanagan as they were knocked of the Championship by the end of June following back-to-back defeats by Dublin and Fermanagh.

The Offaly man has seemingly paid the price for those results with his job, the Westmeath sub committee opting to go for Bealin ahead of Flanagan and other candidates.

Bealin will have a tough task first up as he bids to maintain Westmeath's presence in Division 1 of the Allianz League, but it does not seem that news of his selection has been universally welcomed in the county.

Some observers are already questioning Bealin's track record as a top level manager, while there is a feeling that Flanagan has been treated rather harshly by the County Board.

Tweeting his reaction, former Westmeath and Offaly footballer PJ Ward said: "Totally disgusted with the appointment of Paul Bealin as Westmeath manager. GAA politics speak highly again. Wish PF (Pat Flanagan) all the best."

Ex-Westmeath star Martin Flanagan, who now manages the county's Ladies team, took to Twitter to say: "I don't think Paul Bealin is a forward step for Westmeath. Disappointing to be honest, would rather have given Pat Flanagan another year."