Westmeath end Galway speculation by reappointing McHugh

Westmeath manager Mark McHugh celebrates with John Heslin after the Leinster SFC final win over Dublin at Croke Park ©INPHO/James Crombie

Speculation that Mark McHugh could be lured to Galway has ended following the Donegal native’s reappointment as Westmeath senior football manager.

McHugh was among the bookies’ favourites to fill the void left by Padraic Joyce, but is remaining with the Lake County after a sensational first season in charge. The Leinster SFC winning manager’s reappointment was rubber stamped at last Friday night’s county board meeting in Mullingar. His backroom team is also unchanged with Emmet McDonnell, Jamie Gonoud, Ryan Daly and Stephen ‘Archie’ Beattie all continuing in their roles.

Gonoud, who only retired from inter-county duty at the end of 2024, was also appointed as Westmeath’s new U20 football manager in a move designed to provide a link with the senior set-up. The other members of the U20 management are former All-Star nominee Kieran Martin, Coláiste Mhuire Hogan Cup winning manager Dean McNicholas and Eoin Jordan, who has been heavily involved with Marist College Athlone teams in recent years, and has also managed both his native Athlone and Tubberclair.