Kildare man, Tom Cribbin is poised to be nominated as the new Westmeath senior football manager this week, following days of hectic negotiation and uncertainty.
Cribbin, the former Offaly and Laois manager, was interviewed by the five-man committee last week and subsequently accepted their offer. The Clane native also served as Kildare under 21 manager last year, guiding them to the All-Ireland semi-final.
A County Board meeting was called for Tuesday evening of this week (yesterday) to get the approval of clubs and it’s understood all parties are united behind the Cribbin proposal. While there were suggestions that another nomination could be forthcoming at the meeting, nothing was confirmed at the time of going to press.
Cribbin, who was linked with the Westmeath job when Tomás Ó Flatharta’s reign ended, is a highly successful businessman and owns a chain of butchers’ shops. He was in charge of Laois back in 1999 and led the O’Moore County to the Leinster semi-final where they were defeated by Dublin, while from 2009 to 2011, he was at the helm in Offaly.
A keen fitness enthusiast, this week Cribbin participated in the New York Marathon.
It is not known who will be put forward on Cribbin’s backroom team, but there is speculation that Kildare’s John Doran could fill the physical trainer’s role. No details have emerged in relation to selectors but a strong back room team that includes people from Westmeath is seen as vital.
COONEY INTERESTED
Cribbin has managed teams in Kildare, Offaly and Carlow to county titles. He was in charge of Edenderry in 2001 and led them to a senior title. They were subsequently beaten by Rathnew in the Leinster semi-final.
He was player-manager of Clane and led them to the Kildare senior title, while he also enjoyed a successful stint with O’Hanrahan’s in Carlow. Sources in Edenderry confirmed that Cribbin is very professional and methodical in his approach and is a great man-manager.
Last week Jack Cooney informed Topic that he was still interested in the position and was awaiting a reply from the County Board, but it’s understood he was ruled out of the equation even at that stage.
Already the County Board has had Paul Bealin and Peter Leahy rejected by club delegates and as of Tuesday this week, Westmeath remained the last county in Ireland without a senior football manager. The long search for a bainisteoir began in August when Bealin failed to win a second term and after Leahy failed to win the support of club delegates, former St Brigid’s (Ro- scommon) and Athlone manager, Noel O’Brien became a contender.
At the October County Board meeting, Chairman Sean Sheridan informed clubs that the county must adhere to a strict budget and it’s understood that was a major stumbling block with the Jack Cooney management team, which included former westmeath players Martin Flanagan and John Keane.
Luke Dempsey remains interested in the under 21 football position but it’s not known whether Cribbin will be given responsibility for both teams. The Lake County have yet to appoint a minor football manager for 2015. Former Dublin star, Tommy Carr has served as manager at this grade for the past three years.
