Sean Finnegan Steps Down As Westmeath Ladies Boss

It comes in the wake of their All-Ireland title success two months ago.

Westmeath Ladies are on the hunt for a new manager after Sean Finnegan stepped down. 

The All-Ireland winning boss has announced he won't be seeking a new term in charge. 

Finnegan has been at the helm for three seasons since taking over from Stephen Maxwell.

Here's a statement released in the wake of the decision by Westmeath LGFA: 

Today I spoke with the Chairperson of Westmeath Ladies GAA Geraldine Giles and informed her of my decision not to continue in my role as Manager of Westmeath Ladies senior footballers.

I feel privileged and humbled that Westmeath Ladies LGFA endowed me with the trust and belief to manage the premier talent from the county for the past three years. Both my Management team and I have had our share of special days, and some very tough days, each one presenting unique challeges, but ultimately the finest day was our last day in charge of the team at this years All Ireland Final v Wexford in Croke Park.

On the day the team delivered their finest performance and it was both a privilege and an honour for to be in Croke Park to witness the team fulfil its potential. The after-match scenes of unbridled joy is a memory which will remain with me forever.

Covid-19 changed all our lives and put a lot of things in perspective. For two of our three years in charge the pandemic demanded great change and dexterity in how we undertook our remit. The interaction and dynamic between management and the players during this period was fantastic. The commitment in the face of unprecedented demands, displayed tremendous levels of character, loyalty, resilience, and determination to complete the tasks presented. For me personally, the uncompromising attitude and desire from all the team to get the job done, made the lockdown periods infinitely more manageable and bearable.

I want to sincerely thank the County Board, its Officers and all the Volunteers for the incredible support given to me personally and to the entire the team in that period. The budget required to finance success at the highest level demands year-round attention. Facilities, Catering, Kit & Equipment and Professional Expertise demand huge levels of financial support and they continue to place a massive burden on the ability and initiative of voluntary officers. Despite this, there was no time in my period in charge where the team was left under-resourced and for that, on behalf of the entire team and management, I offer you a sincere thank you.

Having the opportunity to work with and learn from a backroom team whose professionalism, expertise and knowledge was matched only by their sense of fun, resulting in complete unity of approach, was an unqualified pleasure. It was a huge honour to learn from you all and I will be forever indebted to my colleagues on the entire management team.

To my coaching team of Tom, Carole and Colum, your friendship and the effort you put into the project, coupled with the expertise and coaching you imparted to the players was exceptional. To PJ, my old Army colleague, whose role demanded the real hard work and effort behind the scenes - you were an immense asset to the team, and I will be eternally grateful.

To the medical team of Eimear, Paul, Catriona, Dr Gerry and Amy, my sincere thanks for the long hours you gave to keep the players healthy and match -fit.

To my Liaison Officer Mary, to Paul and Alan, your contribution this year was never-ending and played a huge part in the personal development of the players, contributing that immeasurable “X Factor”, which helped us over the line. My heartfelt thanks to you all.

I wish to thank and pay tribute to an incredible bunch of players whom I have had the honour to manage over the past three years. The joy, the tears, the sense of camaraderie and the shared memories will stay with me forever. Embarking on this journey with a group of young players, we aimed to cultivate a culture of honesty, integrity and pride every time we represented our county. Witnessing your growth and watching you represent Westmeath on and off the field with the unity of a tight-knit family filled me with immense pride. Whilst we committed ourselves to be the best we could be as a management team , we also challenged you to be the most diligent team ever to represent Westmeath and you responded by giving everything you had on each and every day. For any gaelic player, the honour to wear your county colours is one which stays with you a lifetime. You have done your County proud, and I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work with some of the best footballers this county has produced.

Finally, I want to thank our team sponsors PalletXPress and Mullingar Auto’s, who supported us the last two years, also our supporters, my friends, and my family, who supported me during the last three years. Without your counsel and moral support the role would have lacked meaning.

Finally, I would like to wish the Westmeath players, the County Board, and my successor the very best of luck in the future. I will always be a fervent Westmeath supporter

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