Dublin 5-22
Westmeath 0-10
In these testing recessionary times we have all become well versed in the nature of boom-bust economic cycles. Hard not to be unless you never buy a paper, listen to radio or watch TV.
Yet just as nobody was able to foretell the exact timing of the peak of the boom, nobody will be able to precisely predict when things will bottom out.
Football can be a bit like economics on that front. The highs Westmeath reached in 2004 and again last year when winning division two and running Tyrone so close took many by surprise. Many would have predicted that the Lake County would struggle to stay up in division one this season yet nobody would have foreseen a final scoring difference of -70, which included a 27 point drubbing by Dublin.
The only positive that can be taken from this embarrassing result is that it surely marks the bottoming out in terms of performance. With relegation already assured, a weakened team and Dublin on a mission, the result of this game was a foregone conclusion. However the manner of the defeat took most of us by surprise.
After this result the only way is up. All concerned have serious work to do before meeting either Wicklow or Longford in championship. Luckily the eight week gap, if used properly, should be sufficient to straighten things out and get back on track.
With that said the one thing this league campaign has highlighted is that we need to get Dessie, Flan, Fergal Wilson, Donie Donoghoe, and Dermot Bannon back in action if we are to have any aspirations of winning Leinster this year.
This result will have lowered expectations for many ahead of championship and that in itself might be no harm.I expect us to beat either Wicklow or Longford, both of whom have been relegated to division four. This will set up a Leinster semi-final against either Dublin or Meath. At this stage one would expect Dublin to beat the Royals. This would give Westmeath a perfect opportunity to avenge this latest humiliating defeat at the hands of the metropolitans.
Dublin have been the best of a bad lot in Leinster over the past four years. Westmeath were the last team to defeat the Dubs in Leinster. It might seem like a longshot following this recent debacle but I wouldn’t bet against us being the next team to do so also. If that happens we’ll be back in the boom times. Don’t say I didn’t tell ya.
Westmeath minors in action
Westmeath minor footballers begin their championship campaign with an away game in Carlow this Saturday at 7pm. Managed by former great Ger Heavin, hopes are high that this year’s minor side can make amends for last year’s slip up.
Among the players who are capable of providing the required leadership are team captain Alan Fitzpatrick, Shane Mulvihill, Calum McCormack, Ger Egan, and John Heslin.
All going well they look set to make a winning start.
Hurlers entertain Laois
Having narrowly secured division two status for next year, thanks to a one-point win over Kerry there is little at stake when Westmeath take on Laois in their final league outing in Cusack Park on Sunday at 2.30pm. Laois too have nothing but pride to play for.
A win over Laois however would be a timely confidence booster for Eamonn Galagher’s men.
