O'Brien to be next Westmeath hurling manager

Kevin O’Brien is set to be named as Westmeath’s new senior hurling manager.

O’Brien, who previously managed the Lake County U20s and led his native Clonkill to back-to-back county SHC titles in 2018 and ’19, replaces Seoirse Bulfin, who stepped down in June after only one season in charge last month.

The incoming manager, who faces a major rebuilding job over the next few seasons, was interviewed along with fellow locals Adrian Moran and Stephen Shiel, and Offaly’s 2024 All-Ireland U20 winning hurling manager Leo O’Connor.

The selection comes amid increasing uncertainty about Dermot McCabe’s future as Westmeath senior football manager after Finbar O’Reilly withdrawal from the interview process left him the sole candidate in the race to manage his native Cavan in 2026.