A former Leinster and Munster senior hurling title winner has emerged as a candidate for the vacant position as Westmeath senior hurling manager.
BY SHANE STAPLETON
Ryan O’Dwyer has emerged as a candidate for the vacant position as Westmeath senior hurling manager.
The Cashel King Cormacs native, who recently transferred home after spending several seasons with Kilmacud Crokes in Dublin, is vying for the job with Clonkill native Kevin O’Brien.
O’Dwyer has coaching experience with Longwood of Meath and Fingallians in Dublin, and as a player won both Munster and Leinster senior hurling titles.
O’Brien led Clonkill to back-to-back Westmeath SHC titles in recent seasons, and also has experience with the county’s Under-20 hurlers, as well as Offaly senior outfit Ballinamere.
“There is nothing definite, no,” says Westmeath chairman Frank Mescall. “We are still looking and talking to people.
“Yes, we would have talked to them alright,” he adds of O’Dwyer and O’Brien.
“There would be other people as well that we are talking to. When exactly we will make the decision, I don’t know.
“It’s a work-in-progress. Naturally enough, we would be looking to get it done as soon as possible.
“It has taken us a little longer than we thought, but it’s about getting the right person and getting the right management team in place.
“Our hurlers are ambitious and they want to go places so we have to try to do that for them.”
Westmeath will play in the Leinster SHC for 2022 after beating Kerry in the Joe McDonagh final during the summer.
Manager Shane O’Brien stepped down at the end of the season after a successful two-year tenure, though his last game in charge was the delayed League relegation play-off defeat against Laois, which sees Westmeath drop to Division 2A in 2022.
The Lake County and Galway are the only remaining Liam MacCarthy teams who currently don’t have a manager in place for next season.
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