Brendan Hackett

[Croí na hÉireann]

Shock Exit as County manager retires before start of Championship

After late-night developments during crisis talks involving players and the under pressure Westmeath Manager Brendan Hackett he stepped down after only seven months as manager.

The players met up before training in St Loman's in Mullingar, and then they met Hackett straight afterwards where they told of their unhappiness with the season so far where Westmeath lost there seven matches he was under pressure from the outset as it became clear that Dessie Dolan was not coming back after his own father, Dessie Snr, was not even granted an in ...

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/04/15/shock-exit-as-county-manager-retires-before-start-of-championship/

I'm shocked he went without a fight

I'm half surprised he didn't offer to regig his backroom team for the championship but I think he knew the game was up. He was never gonna do anything in the championship so I think he decided to jump now before he was pushed after the summer...

Shark, is the Pete McGrath rumour the one from the hoganstand or from somewhere more concrete???

[shark]

Shock Exit as County manager retires before start of Championship

After late-night developments during crisis talks involving players and the under pressure Westmeath Manager Brendan Hackett he stepped down after only seven months as manager.

The players met up before training in St Loman's in Mullingar, and then they met Hackett straight afterwards where they told of their unhappiness with the season so far where Westmeath lost there seven matches he was under pressure from the outset as it became clear that Dessie Dolan was not coming back after his own father, Dessie Snr, was not even granted an in ...

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/04/15/shock-exit-as-county-manager-retires-before-start-of-championship/

I'm shocked he went without a fight

I'm half surprised he didn't offer to regig his backroom team for the championship but I think he knew the game was up. He was never gonna do anything in the championship so I think he decided to jump now before he was pushed after the summer...

Shark, is the Pete McGrath rumour the one from the hoganstand or from somewhere more concrete???

Just seen it on Hoganstand now that you mentioned it.  I heard it from one of the u21 players I was talking to earlier.  But he could well have seen it there, I didn't question his source.  We shall see.  It is really a no lose situation for whoever comes in, expectations could not be any lower.

[Croí na hÉireann]

Pete McGrath would be a good appointment I'd think. Anyway I'd like to think that whoever we get that it's someone decent who's gonna commit for at least another 2 years. We need a quick appointment alright but no point rushing it and getting another Hackett. If there's no one with proven credential available/interested yet I think we could do a lot worse than put O'Flaherta back in charge for the next couple of months. He knows whats in the county and was at the U21 final.

[heffo]

TV3 reporting a direct quote from Hackett from a few minutes that he hasn't stepped down - I had it from a very reliable source he was gone..

Westmeath County board unavailable for comment..

[Croí na hÉireann]

RTE news reported that Hackett is expected to formally resign tonight, he must be planning on throwing a few grenades to give his side, we'll wait and see...

[Maroon Heaven]

Christ - I'll have to convene a meeting of the Westmeath Belfast Supporters Club and fomally give a response tomorrow.

I read his interview in the Tribune 3 weeks ago and felt bad. He seemed to have a strategy and in fairness I looked at what he said and thought - He said alot of truths. He did get us to the Leinster U-21. The Seniors do need a complete rehaul. The league was always going to be tough and we did play well against Meath & Kildare. He illustated how he was ahead of the game in the 80's and maybe could be proved right

Best of luck to the man. I thank him for what he did anyway. I think Dolan snr should now get it. Let him have his say and get on with it

[heffo]

Christ - I'll have to convene a meeting of the Westmeath Belfast Supporters Club and fomally give a response tomorrow.

I read his interview in the Tribune 3 weeks ago and felt bad. He seemed to have a strategy and in fairness I looked at what he said and thought - He said alot of truths. He did get us to the Leinster U-21. The Seniors do need a complete rehaul. The league was always going to be tough and we did play well against Meath & Kildare. He illustated how he was ahead of the game in the 80's and maybe could be proved right

Best of luck to the man. I thank him for what he did anyway. I think Dolan snr should now get it. Let him have his say and get on with it

As an outsider looking in, I agree with you, but it still begs the question as to why he didn't get a good selector with knowledge of the local scene in with him - I'm sure himself, M Carruth and the other fella are experts in sports conditioning etc and are excellent motivators and probably tick most of the boxes but you still need expert football knowledge on the sideline to call the game.

It makes you wonder had he brought some football expertise on board would he have been given more time to put his plan in place - I know a few lads have since retired/made themselves unavailable, but two years ago O'Flatherta showed what you can do if you have a good tactical plan in place..

As to a replacement, if Dessie Snr doesnt take it, whats the status of Ray Smyth? I was at a coaching course a while ago and he was the coaches assesor but ended up getting involved and I thought he was excellent..

[Bord na Mona man]

TV3 reporting a direct quote from Hackett from a few minutes that he hasn't stepped down

Was the quote from him something like "Brendan Hackett is not stepping down and Brendan Hackett will continue on in the job and carry it out as Brendan Hackett sees fit"

[heffo]

TV3 reporting a direct quote from Hackett from a few minutes that he hasn't stepped down

Was the quote from him something like "Brendan Hackett is not stepping down and Brendan Hackett will continue on in the job and carry it out as Brendan Hackett sees fit"

Heffo can't confirm or deny that!

[Bord na Mona man]

TV3 reporting a direct quote from Hackett from a few minutes that he hasn't stepped down

Was the quote from him something like "Brendan Hackett is not stepping down and Brendan Hackett will continue on in the job and carry it out as Brendan Hackett sees fit"

Heffo can't confirm or deny that!

Or maybe it came from Brendan Hackett, the official spokesman for Brendan Hackett.

[shark]

As to a replacement, if Dessie Snr doesnt take it, whats the status of Ray Smyth? I was at a coaching course a while ago and he was the coaches assesor but ended up getting involved and I thought he was excellent..

He has just taken over Mullingar Shamrocks.  You would have seen his youngest son, Lorcan, make quite an impression in the Leinster U21 final after coming on at half time.  Another son, John, has been on the Westmeath team for the past 5 years or so generally at centre-forward.
Don't think he would leave Shamrocks, he has been angling for that job for years.

[Maroon Heaven]

One place you will not get this break news story is the official Westmeath GAa Website - who are still running with details of the match line up for last years clash with Dublin in the AI

[heffo]

As to a replacement, if Dessie Snr doesnt take it, whats the status of Ray Smyth? I was at a coaching course a while ago and he was the coaches assesor but ended up getting involved and I thought he was excellent..

He has just taken over Mullingar Shamrocks.  You would have seen his youngest son, Lorcan, make quite an impression in the Leinster U21 final after coming on at half time.  Another son, John, has been on the Westmeath team for the past 5 years or so generally at centre-forward.
Don't think he would leave Shamrocks, he has been angling for that job for years.

I knew John was his son alright and assumed Lorcan was too - whats the feeling about him coaching-wise in Westmeath??

[shark]

As to a replacement, if Dessie Snr doesnt take it, whats the status of Ray Smyth? I was at a coaching course a while ago and he was the coaches assesor but ended up getting involved and I thought he was excellent..

He has just taken over Mullingar Shamrocks.  You would have seen his youngest son, Lorcan, make quite an impression in the Leinster U21 final after coming on at half time.  Another son, John, has been on the Westmeath team for the past 5 years or so generally at centre-forward.
Don't think he would leave Shamrocks, he has been angling for that job for years.

I knew John was his son alright and assumed Lorcan was too - whats the feeling about him coaching-wise in Westmeath??

Generally that he is a very good coach and more so an extremely good motivator.  Tactics wise on the sideline, I don't really know. Some people would question his temperment, he is seen as a bit 'mad'.  His record is better than decent.  2 SFC with The Downs in '03 and '05 when they hadn't won one in 25 years, and with no county players at the time.  He brought St.Oliver Plunketts to a Leinster junior hurling title in '01, beating Emeralds from Kilkenny in the final, which was a first for any Westmeath club in either code.  He has done well at clubs where they are the perceived underdog and has had little pressure.  Different challenge for him now at Shamrocks who have won 4 out of the last 6 u21s, the most recent with him as coach.

[heffo]

As to a replacement, if Dessie Snr doesnt take it, whats the status of Ray Smyth? I was at a coaching course a while ago and he was the coaches assesor but ended up getting involved and I thought he was excellent..

He has just taken over Mullingar Shamrocks.  You would have seen his youngest son, Lorcan, make quite an impression in the Leinster U21 final after coming on at half time.  Another son, John, has been on the Westmeath team for the past 5 years or so generally at centre-forward.
Don't think he would leave Shamrocks, he has been angling for that job for years.

I knew John was his son alright and assumed Lorcan was too - whats the feeling about him coaching-wise in Westmeath??

Generally that he is a very good coach and more so an extremely good motivator.  Tactics wise on the sideline, I don't really know. Some people would question his temperment, he is seen as a bit 'mad'.  His record is better than decent.  2 SFC with The Downs in '03 and '05 when they hadn't won one in 25 years, and with no county players at the time.  He brought St.Oliver Plunketts to a Leinster junior hurling title in '01, beating Emeralds from Kilkenny in the final, which was a first for any Westmeath club in either code.  He has done well at clubs where they are the perceived underdog and has had little pressure.  Different challenge for him now at Shamrocks who have won 4 out of the last 6 u21s, the most recent with him as coach.

Thats a good record so - is he also an officer of the County Board?

Whats the feeling on Dessie snr so? I've met him on a few occasions and he's a decent enough sort, but I got the impression he'd make Tommy Lyons blush ego-wise??