An opportunity to ply their playing attributes within the top tier of national football league competition awaits Westmeath senior footballers this weekend following their comprehensive eight point victory over Laois in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Saturday afternoon.
The result ensures Division 2 status is secured for next season and should results go in the Lake County’s favour following the conclusion of the ultimate set of round robin fixtures this weekend, Westmeath may secure promotion to the highest echelon of league football.
Permutations are plentiful but Westmeath travel to Newbridge to play Kildare knowing that a win, in tandem with a Clare defeat of Armagh, will ensure a morale boosting promotion for the county prior to the start of their Leinster senior football championship campaign and a meeting with All-Ireland champions, Dublin.
In a fluid performance on Saturday, Westmeath displayed possession and scoring composure when it mattered during playing proceedings and the eight point victory was thoroughly merited.
Athlone clubman, Ray Connellan, was particularly influential during the first half of the contest, scoring a brace of points from play and his positive impact was duly matched by St Loman’s club players, John Heslin and Ronan O’Toole.
In the ascendancy by seven points following the shrill of the half time whistle, Westmeath continued their scoreboard dominance in the second moiety and a Jamie Gonoud goal, assisted by Castledaly clubman, Lorcan Dolan, as the fixture reached its conclusion, complemented the cohesive team ethos, very much a feature of team manager, Jack Cooney’s, reign to date.
Confidence will be brimming prior to throw in on Saturday and as thoughts turn towards the marquee fixture with the Metropolitans, the goal of retaining Division 2 status has now been achieved.
Although the word ‘promotion’ may not have featured within the mindset of management and the playing squad prior to the start of the league campaign in spring, such a prospect may be realised on Saturday afternoon as Westmeath strive to attain their sporting quest.
