Former Limerick hurling manager Tom Ryan has been named as the new Westmeath boss in a high profile appointment for the Lakes County.
Ryan led Limerick to All-Ireland final appearances in 1994 and 1996 and succeeds Michael Conneely in the Westmeath hotseat.
Ryan will look to guide Westmeath out of their current slumber after heavy defeats this year to Dublin and Kerry in the championship.