McDonnell and Gonoud on board with McHugh

Newly-appointed Westmeath football manager Mark McHugh has included Emmet McDonnell and Jamie Gonoud in his backroom team.

A former Offaly manager who was also part of the Westmeath management team during Tom Cribbin's tenure a decade ago, McDonnell has been named assistant manager / selector, while Tyrrellspass clubman Gonoud is also a selector which would suggest he has retired from inter-county football since the Lake County's 2025 campaign ended.

By coincidence, both are teaching colleagues at St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry, who McDonnell guided to a Hogan Cup success in 2012.

Tyrone pair Ryan Daly and Stephen 'Archie' Beattie along with Armagh man Tom Gribben complete the management set-up.

Former Donegal All-Ireland winner McHugh was ratified as the Lake County's new manager at a county board meeting last night in succession to Dermot McCabe, who recently took charge of his native Cavan and who he served as a coach under last season.

Meanwhile, Mick Dillon (Milltown) and Ger Beehan (Cullion) have been appointed as Westmeath's new minor football and hurling managers respectively.

(1) We are delighted to announce Mark McHugh as the new manager of the Westmeath Senior Football team. Mark’s backroom team: Assistant Manager/Selector – Emmet McDonnell (Coralstown Kinnegad) Head Coach/Selector – Ryan Daly (Tyrone)

Coach – Stephen “Archie” Beattie (Tyrone) pic.twitter.com/JK73GqBZHa

— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) September 9, 2025