Pat Flanagan's appointment as Westmeath's new football manager for a two-year term was ratified by delegates at last night's county board meeting in Mullingar.

The Offaly native, who had served the position on an interim basis earlier this year and had previously served as a selector under Tomas O Flatharta, had already received the green light from football board delegates last Friday night.

Flanagan, who has won county championships in both Westmeath and Offaly with Tyrrellspass and his native Clara, was appointed manager for the duration of the championship last April after Brendan Hackett was forced to step down after just seven months in charge.

Just six weeks after his appointment, he guided the Lake County to a Leinster SFC quarter-final win over Wicklow, but disappointing performances against Louth in the Leinster semi-final and Derry in the All-Ireland qualifiers had cast a doubt over him getting the job on a permanent basis.

However, after his name was put forward on Friday night by the sub-committee which had been set up to seek out a new manager, the clubs had no hesitation in backing and his appointment was rubberstamped last night.

The only other candidate considered was Dessie Dolan Snr, who is currently managing Roscommon club side Clann na nGael. Tweet

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