Michael Ryan is still one of Westmeath's biggest fans

Michael Ryan pictured with Eddie Casey, selector and Aonghus Clarke after Westmeath beat Laois on Saturday. Pic credit: Tom Hunt.

This is great to see.

Michael Ryan spent four years in charge of the Westmeath senior hurlers before stepping down in 2018, but a special bond still exists between him and his former charges.

The Waterford man regularly makes the long trip up from the South-East to support his old team and was one of the first to congratulate them after they romped to an 18-point victory over Laois at MW Hire O’Moore Park last Saturday night to secure their Liam MacCarthy Cup status for another year.

The huge win followed a brilliant draw with Wexford the previous weekend.