Fortune departs as Westmeath boss after luckless year

Westmeath manager Joe Fortune has stepped down from the role after three years in charge.

Fortune departs at the end of a difficult campaign, early defeats against Kerry and Offaly scuppering Westmeath’s chances of reaching the Joe McDonagh Cup final and returning to the top tier.

In his resignation statement, the outgoing manager said he would look back with “honour” and “pride” on his stint in charge, saying it was time for him to recharge and for the playing group to benefit from “new energy and voices” to help them develop further.

Fortune succeeded Shane O’Brien in the role in late 2021 after the latter had guided the county to Joe McDonagh Cup success.

The Wexford man led Westmeath through two impressive campaigns in the Leinster SHC, famously earning a draw and then, sensationally, a win over Wexford in successive seasons.

They survived in the top tier in 2022, dispatching Laois in the pivotal final round-robin group game.

In 2023, Fortune’s Westmeath delivered one of the most memorable results in their history, coming from a staggering 17 points down to beat Wexford away from home.

The result appeared set to improbably relegate Wexford to the second tier but the Model men rallied to overcome Kilkenny on a dramatic afternoon the following week, while Westmeath were soundly beaten by Antrim and wound up being the team demoted.

Down further numbers this year, they were unable to return to the top tier, finishing fourth in the Joe McDonagh after two wins, two losses and a draw.

Fortune, from Enniscorthy, previously guided Ballyboden St Enda’s to a Dublin SHC title in 2018.

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Watch the Joe McDonagh Cup final, Offaly v Laois, on Saturday from 3pm. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1

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