Tomas O Flatharta's reappointment as Westmeath football manager will finally take place tonight - nearly three months after football board delegates gave him the green light to continue for a fourth year. However, the silence from the Kerryman had been deafening since then, leading to speculation that he was in contention for the then-vacant managerial posts in Dublin and Kerry. But despite the uncertainty surrounding O Flatharta's future, Westmeath football board chairman Des Maguire said he was always confident he would commit to the Lake County for another term. "I had a lot of people asking me in the street if Tomas was going to stay with us," Maguire said. "But I was always optimistic that he would not jump ship - he's a very honourable and highly respected man. Tomas knew he had the full backing of the clubs in the county, and also the football board executive, and there was no need to rush him into a decision. "It would have been a different matter entirely if Tomas had decided to step down. Then we would have to begin the process of interviewing candidates for the position." It's understood that the Dublin-based bank official, who came to the Lake County in late 2003 as then-manager Paidi O Se's right-hand man, had an issue with the lack of training facilities for the county side, but the matter has now been resolved. O Flatharta's selectors for the coming season will also be confirmed at tonight's meeting in Mullingar. The Kerryman will have to find replacements for Eamonn Gallagher, who has taken over the Westmeath hurlers, while Tommy Kelly has ruled himself out due to work commitments. It remains to be seen if former star player Paul Conway will be retained as his third selector. Tweet

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