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Jack Cooney relishing Westmeath role

Jack Cooney was ratified as the new Westmeath manager last week.

Jack Cooney was ratified as the new Westmeath manager last week.

By Cian O'Connell

Thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to manage Westmeath, Jack Cooney believes there is significant potential in the midlands.

Cooney, previously a selector during Paidí O’Sé’s tenure in charge, was a popular choice in Westmeath to replace Colin Kelly, who stepped down following one year in charge.

With extensive coaching experience accumulated Cooney is adamant that Westmeath are ready, willing, and able to make an impact.

“Yes, I guess like every county management team at this stage you are looking to progress, to improve, to build that platform that players can push on from,” Cooney says.

“So definitely there is huge potential there - it is just a matter of tapping into that, getting the players committed to it, getting the players working, building towards the O'Byrne Cup first of all and the League after that.

“It is that time of the year when you just start putting your plans in place. It is probably a little bit different to the last couple of appointments in that the appointment is made earlier. Even those few weeks earlier makes a difference, trying to get things organised.

“There is an opportunity to go to watch games being played, to look at players and so on. It is good and there are loads of plans and loads work to get through.”

Generating momentum and belief is important for Westmeath according to Cooney, who has added the well regarded Paschal Kellaghan to his backroom team. “I guess what you are trying to do is to build an environment, to build a group that the results in the League will be a result of all the work they have done before Christmas and on the run in to the League,” Cooney states.

Jack Cooney was a Westmeath selector when Paidí O'Sé was in charge.

Jack Cooney was a Westmeath selector when Paidí O'Sé was in charge.

“Starting out at this time of the year saying we are going to really target the League and everything, we will certainly be preparing for the League, and our League performances will be a result of all the work we hopefully get in between now and then. I do agree, though, that the significance of the League has taken on more significance, that your performance in the League has taken on more significance.

“It is really a very good competition and a lot of counties use it as a good run and a good preparation for the Championship. All counties would love to be in Division One because the standard there is so high.

“I think what I'm trying to say is how you perform in the League does carry through into your summer and it does bring that momentum.”

Cooney operated alongside Kellaghan previously with Rhode and believes the former Offaly attacker will be a positive influence, while Cathal Mullin will act as goalkeeping coach.

“It is great to have Paschal involved,” Cooney admits. “I worked with him in Rhode for a couple of years. Pascal was involved with the Tipperary team last year so he comes on board with great experience.

“He was involved with underage teams in Offaly previously, he has a good history of success with club teams. He comes with a lot of experience so I'm really looking forward to working with him in Westmeath.

“Cathal Mullin is coming in, he played between the sticks for Westmeath for a number of years. He had a long and distinguished career with Garrycastle in the goal, he is coming in as part of the management team as a goalkeeping coach, so we can't wait to get stuck into it.”

In 2015 and 2016 Cooney served as a selector for Donegal under Rory Gallagher. “It was great, I was up there for two years,” Cooney reflects. “It was a great environment to be involved in, the lads had just come off playing in the All Ireland in 2014. It was a brilliant environment to train in with great players, great overall regards preparation.

Former Offaly forward Paschal Kellaghan is involved in Jack Cooney's backroom team.

Former Offaly forward Paschal Kellaghan is involved in Jack Cooney's backroom team.

“I would have liked to win a little bit more up there with the effort and commitment from the players. I definitely learned a lot and it was two great years experience.”

Cooney is adamant that Gaelic Football has altered significantly in the past couple of decades. “I think it has, yeah,” Cooney adds.

“The previous generation had changed the game quite significantly from the generation before that. I think the game is evolving all the time. I think the levels of coaching and preparation and conditioning with players is at an extremely high level. That is reflected in how the game is played.

“Certainly the intensity of the game, the amount of time the ball is in play now, the emphasis on keeping possession are all very important parts in how a team prepares and how they play.

“I think it certainly has evolved in that the game is played in a certain way that is different than it was maybe 20 years ago. To me at the moment the game is very entertaining and it is very tactical, to me it is very enjoyable to be honest.”

Cooney will become the first Westmeath native to manage the county in 26 years since Brian Murtagh back in 1992.

“It is always special to be involved and to train with your own county,” Cooney acknowledges. “A lot of coaches that have come in over the last number of years have been excellent coaches and have contributed an awful lot to Westmeath football.

“You can't go without saying that either. This time around I'm lucky to get the nod and I'm getting a lot of support from the Westmeath supporters so hopefully that will continue. I'm just really looking forward to getting stuck into it now to see where we can take the team.”