He first applied for the Westmeath senior managerial position in 2014.[5] A selector under Páidí Ó Sé, Cooney's appointment as Westmeath senior manager was ratified in September 2018, making him the first Westmeath native to fill the role since 1992.[6]
He nearly led Westmeath to a Leinster final in 2021 but Kildare prevented this.[7]
On 23 September 2021, he was ratified for a further two-year term ahead of the 2022 season.[8] However, Cooney resigned unexpectedly in August 2022 to take up a player development role at national level within the GAA.[9]
Cooney's club management experience before the Westmeath senior appointment involved managerial roles with Rhode, Newbridge and his home club Coralstown/Kinnegad.[6]
Cooney is a former Donegal selector too and is married to a woman from Kilcar.[10]