By Declan Rooney

Michael Ryan will remain on for at least one more year in charge of the Westmeath senior hurling team.

The former Waterford manager has indicated his desire to take charge for a fourth season to county chairman Sean Sheridan, but he has yet to be ratified by the Westmeath executive.

Earlier this week the Westmeath county board began its search for Tom Cribbin's replacement as football manager after three years in charge, but the hurling position has been a lot easier to fill and Ryan is keen to push on to the next step with his young hurling squad.

Defeat to Offaly ended Westmeath's Leinster championship this year, but there seems to be an appetite for Ryan to progress into 2018 with his side once more.

"Michael Ryan is staying in Westmeath. It will officially be decided at the same meeting in late August, but Michael has indicated to me that he will stay on," said Sheridan.

"He wants to go further with this team, he sees potential in this current Westmeath team and he wants to go another year anyway."

Last year was Ryan's most successful in charge of the midlanders with a memorable championship win over Offaly the highlight of their season.

He has also managed the county U-21s and their victory over Kilkenny in the Leinster championship was one of the shocks of the season. But they were unable to repeat that feat this summer and Eddie Brennan's Kilkenny edged past them after Westmeath had earlier beaten Laois.

"We have to take it step by step. Are we fit to compete with Kilkenny or Tipperary? We're not, but we're trying to slowly work out way up to their standard," said Sheridan.

"We have a strong club championship, which is taking place at the moment. We've had some great games and hopefully we can go on and take another step forward next year."

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