Brendan Hackett has stepped down from the position of Westmeath senior and under-21 football manager after a meeting with players last night.
Hackett's efforts to convince senior players he was the man to take them forward, despite a second successive winless league campaign, fell on deaf ears and he informed the county board of his decision this morning.
“It is with regret that Westmeath county board confirms the resignation of senior and under-21 county football manager Brendan Hackett and his backroom team,” a statement read today.
“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 under-21 team bringing them to the Leinster under-21 final.
“Westmeath county board will meet next Wednesday night to discuss the vacant managerial position.”
That under-21 triumph was the county's first final since winning the minor title in 2000. but Hackett was always facing an uphill battle after one Westmeath’s greatest ever players, Dessie Dolan, left the panel following the board’s decision not to grant his father an interview for the top job.
Matters were not helped by the retirement of All Star defender John Keane, citing recurring injury. Talented forward Denis Glennon was next to go just a few months into Hackett’s three-year term.
Speaking on RTE radio this afternoon, Farrell insisted the matter was not brought about by "player power".
"I don't think that's the reason, in fairness, because I have to fair to the players as well," he said. "They made representations and ... Brendan took everything on board.
"He met the players last night and they had a discussion and that's the result of it."
Hackett previously managed Longford (1987-90) and Offaly (1990-92) and also trained the 1990 Internationals Rules squad.