By Paul O’Donovan
The fall-out from Westmeath’s relegation to Division Four of the National Football League may have implications for manager, Tom Cribbin and his backroom team.
Westmeath County Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan, currently out of the country, hasn’t had an opportunity to discuss matters with Cribbin since the county’s relegation to the basement division, but a ‘clear the air’ meeting is to take place later this week. Mr Sheridan confirmed that he is unhappy with a number of aspects surrounding the team’s relegation and that he has spoken by phone with Cribbin since the defeat by Longford.
The manager is to to meet with the County Board Chairman this week and a number of issues are on the table. There are reports of players ‘celebrating’ victories over Limerick and Offaly in the league and not being properly focused on the Longford game and the chairman said he will discuss this with Cribbin.
“I’m extremely disappointed, firstly at our relegation to the basement division and with some of the Westmeath players. There is an expectation that representing your county is an honour and high standards are demanded,” he said.
Mr Sheridan said players must accept their share of the blame for the county’s demise and face up to their responsibilities as Westmeath players. When questioned this week, the County Board Chairman refused to be drawn on what problems exist within the squad, but said he will outline the position to the manager.
“We are not happy with some of the things that have been going on and I will be having frank discussions with the manager this week,” he said.
DISAPPOINTED
Precisely what the outcome of the meeting will be is unclear, but it’s believed there are a lot of issues to be resolved. Mr Sheridan said the players must “stand up and be counted” and accept their share of responsibility for the side’s relegation. It’s understood Cribbin’s back room team will also be discussed.
Dermot Fox, Chairman of the Football Committee, confirmed that there are concerns in relation to the county’s demise. He refused to discuss reports on celebrations after the Limerick game, pointing out that players were on a two-week break after that match in the Gaelic Grounds. However, he aired his concerns with reports of celebrations following the victory over Offaly.
“I did hear reports following the Offaly game and I find it very disturbing as we were up against Longford in a big game the following Sunday, with the threat of relegation hanging over us. I would be very disappointed with that,” he said.
Mr Fox confirmed that a meeting with the manager will take place and all aspects of Westmeath’s performances in the National Football League will be discussed.
“I appreciate emotions are running high with supporters, but now is the time for cool heads and proper reflection,” he said, confirming that people have vented their anger with him and other officers.
The Westmeath players are at present back with their clubs and preparing for round one of the football championships in Westmeath, which take place next weekend.
Westmeath’s relegation to Division Four means the county will operate out of the lowest division for the first time since 1994, when Mattie Kerrigan led them to a famous victory over Derry and the league semi-final against Meath.
Tom Cribbin confirmed that he is to meet with Sean Sheridan on Friday, but said he has got no reaction from officers since the defeat by Longford. He confirmed he has also spoken with the Football Committee Chairman, Dermot Fox.
“Obviously going down to Division Four is a big blow and I understand people’s disappointment. The players are every bit as disappointed as everyone else,” he said.
Cribbin faces a huge challenge to lift morale ahead of the championship opener against Longford or Offaly on 12 June, but he’s hoping last year’s championship run (Westmeath reached the Leinster final) can inspire another big effort. It came on the back of relegation from Division 2.
“It’s going to be a tough period, but it’s the same as last year. Right now the players are back with their clubs for a round of championship and league games. That was always the plan,” he said.
