Westmeath's long search for a senior football manager looks to be nearing an end with speculation that Tom Cribbin is to be named as Paul Bealin's successor.

The word going around Cusack Park at today's Leinster club SHC quarter-final between Raharney and St. Mullin's was that the Clane native's name will be put forward for ratification at the next county board meeting. Club delegates had sought a manager with proven inter-county experience and Cribbin certainly fits the bill, having previously managed Laois and Offaly. He also served as a Kildare U21 selector a couple of years ago.

Following Rory Gallagher's appointment in Donegal on Friday night, Westmeath have the uneviable distinction of being the only football county still without a manager ahead of the 2015 season. Twice, the county board put forward names for ratification - first the outgoing Bealin and then Peter Leahy - only for them to be rejected by delegates.

Former county star and selector Jack Cooney and ex-St. Brigid's (Roscommon) manager Noel O'Brien were the only other candidates believed to be in the race.

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