Ryan and Maughan among Westmeath nominees
There are six candidates in the running to manage the Westmeath senior footballers next season, including incumbent boss Pat Flanagan, former Wexford manager Jason Ryan and ex-Mayo supremo John Maughan.
The clubs within Westmeath have put forward a list of six nominees for the position. Flanagan, given the nod by his old club Tyrrellspass, is eager to hold onto the job for his fourth year in charge and build on their promotion to Division 1.
However, he could have plenty of opposition to see off just yet with Maughan, who previously managed Mayo, Clare, Roscommon and Fermanagh, in the mix along with Ryan who has been part of Kieran McGeeney's Kildare backroom team most recently.
Another big name to have been nominated is the vastly experienced Luke Dempsey, who led Westmeath to an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final appearance in 2001. He has been managing Kildare club Moorefield of late.
Ex-Offaly Under-21 boss Pascal Kelleghan and former Dublin midfielder Jack Sheedy, whose managerial experience includes stints with club sides Moorefield and Edenderry, complete the sextet.
The committee tasked with recommending Westmeath's manager for the 2014 campaign will approach the six nominees to access their interest in the role, before the interview process begins for the remaining candidates. The committee can also cast their net beyond the current list of nominees.
Meanwhile, a total of 11 nominations were received before last Friday's deadline for the position of Leitrim senior football manager.
Outgoing managerial duo Barney Breen and George Dugdale are understood to be among the nominees received from 12 clubs, although the Leitrim County Board have not confirmed the names of those put forward for the job.
A number of Leitrim players are believed to be backing Breen and Dugdale to continue as joint managers. The pair guided Leitrim to a first FBD League title earlier this year and 2012 saw them secure the county's maiden All-Ireland qualifier victory against Wicklow.
