A return to Allianz National Football League action awaits the Westmeath senior footballers this weekend when Wicklow journey to TEG Cusack Park Mullingar to contest the opening fixture in the Lake County’s Division 3 campaign (throw in 2pm ).
With seven games to play over a two month duration, Westmeath will be aspiring for a swift return to the second tier of national league football and attaining momentum prior to the county’s opening Leinster Championship outing on the weekend of April 30 when neighbours Longford provide the opposition.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, team manager, Jack Cooney, noted his aspirations for the league campaign to come.
“The competitive season is here once again and similar to all counties who start their journey the hope is for a campaign of reward and progression. When each county commences their respective league campaign the hope is for promotion and in Westmeath we are of a similar mindset,” Jack asserted.
Having started ten debutants in the O’Byrne Cup contest with Kildare, Jack has introduced new personnel to the playing squad, all of whom have integrated into the panel with a positive attitude.
“While it was disappointing to have our second O’Byrne Cup game with Carlow cancelled, it was a boost to the management to have ten fresh faces wearing the Westmeath jersey for the first occasion in Newbridge and although the result did not go our way, the players in question did not look out of place during the course of the game.
“The new panel members are eager to listen and progress in the Westmeath jersey and that is a positive for me as we approach our league campaign,” Jack added.
With the close of the club season swiftly followed by a return to intercounty training Jack allowed ample time for long time panel members to recover and rehab but familiar faces will be to the fore in the Westmeath colours on Sunday.
“As noted previously, we have ambitions to progress and earn promotion to Division 2, but we will approach each game on an individual basis and hone in on the positive aspects of our play with each passing week,” Jack commented.
The addition of former All-Star footballers John Keane and Dessie Dolan to the existing management team is a notable boost to Lake County aspirations.
“John has been working as a coach on the club scene for a number of years now and in Dessie, you have one of the finest footballers to wear the Westmeath jersey, so our players are now learning from two former players with vast experience,” Jack remarked.
Following their opening contest with Wicklow, Westmeath’s league journey continues with fixtures against Laois (a ), Longford (h ), Louth (a ), Limerick (a ), Fermanagh (h ) and Antrim (a ).
