Exclusive: Quaid set to depart Kildare and take over Westmeath hurlers

Joe Quaid is the frontrunner for the vacant Westmeath hurling manager’s job after speaking to the county board earlier this week.

KildareNow has learned that Quaid was one of several candidates interviewed for the position, and the man who was in charge of Kildare for the past three years sat down with officials from the Westmeath county board on Monday night.

Quaid has enjoyed three good years with the Lilywhites since being taken on as manager in 2015. The Limerick native managed to keep Kildare in Division 2A in his first two years in charge, while the focus turned to the championship in year three and they duly won the Christy Ring Cup under his stewardship.

Quaid told KildareNow just a few weeks ago that he had yet to be contacted by anyone from the Kildare county board in regard to staying on, though he did not indicate whether or not he would have been happy to remain in the position if he were to be asked.

It is understood that the county board were allowing Quaid time to consider his options, and they are due to meet tonight (Thursday) to discuss the establishment of a committee to appoint a successor should he take the Westmeath job. Discussions have taken place between Quaid and the Kildare county board, but it appears he will be on his way following the recent successful campaign.

Quaid with Martin Fitzgerald after winning the Christy Ring Cup

An official from Westmeath confirmed to KildareNow that Quaid was one of seven candidates to be interviewed for the job that was vacated by Michael Ryan this summer. He was the only name on the shortlist with intercounty management experience however, and officials in Westmeath have been impressed by the job he has done in Kildare.

Two of the other candidates were club managers from within Westmeath, while another was a high profile All-Ireland winning club manager who is now out of the running as it appears he will be taking the reins of a county in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

Quaid’s commitment to building Kildare hurling by using players from within the county rather than turning to permit players has impressed those making the decision in Westmeath. He promoted numerous young players from underage teams in the past two years, and he has certainly left Kildare hurling in a good place if he is to leave.

Westmeath is an attractive job for any manager looking to build their stock however. The Lake County side finished top of Division 2A in 2018 but lost out on a place in Division 1B after losing to Carlow in the league final. They also made it to the final of the Joe McDonogh Cup this year, losing to Carlow once again in the decider. They will be one of the favourites for league promotion and to win the Joe McDonogh Cup next year.

Focus will now turn to seeking a successor to take over a team that has plenty of emerging talent and will be looking to bounce up from Division 2B in the National League next spring.