Westmeath to appoint McHugh as new football manager

Mark McHugh will be ratified as Westmeath's new senior football manager at a county board meeting in the Mullingar Park Hotel tonight.

As first reported by hoganstand.com a fortnight ago, the outgoing coach will succeed Dermot McCabe after he recently stepped down as manager after just one season to take charge of his native Cavan. It will be McHugh's first senior inter-county management role after he previously worked with Roscommon in 2023 and Galway giants Moycullen last year.

The 2012 Donegal All-Ireland SFC winner is highly-regarded by the Westmeath players and his appointment will ensure continuity with the outgoing management. He is expected to announce his backroom team in the coming days.

McHugh comes from Donegal GAA royalty. His father Martin also won an All-Ireland SFC medal in 1992, while his younger brother Ryan played in this year's All-Ireland final against Kerry.

Fermanagh are the only county left to appoint a senior football manager for next season following Kieran Donnelly's surprise decision to step down last month after four years at the helm.