The question on everybody’s lips ahead of this weekend’s showdown is whether or not Tomas O’Flatharta’s men can rise to the challenge and lower the mighty Dubs. Croke Park is the venue, with a 4pm throw-in for the Leinster semi-final clash. At stake is a place in the Leinster final against the winner of Kildare and Laois, and a crack at winning a second-ever Leinster title.
After the performance against Wicklow, it’s hard to feel confident ahead of Sunday. While we got the job done, eventually, in Tullamore, a repeat performance would see us on the wrong end of a hammering.
Yet taking on Dublin in Croke Park, in front of the Hill, is always going to focus the mind a lot more than facing Wicklow in Tullamore. Confidence can be gleaned from last year when the men in maroon and white came agonisingly close to pulling off a memorable win. More composure in front of the posts at a vital stage and the outcome would have been different. We are also the last side to have beaten the Metropolitans in the Leinster championship back in 2004.
One thing for sure is that the Westmeath squad will travel to Croke Park believing that a win is possible. Dublin were less than impressive in their win over Meath and have a point to prove also. They will have to field without rookie full forward Mark Davoren, who tore his cruciate against Meath, and this is another plus from the midlanders’ point of view. Jason Sherlock replaces Davoren and, while he will take watching, the Westmeath defence should be able to cope better with the threat he poses.
If Westmeath had a fully (match ) fit squad to choose from I would be more than optimistic about our chances. I don’t believe Dublin are as good as they were this time last year. However serious question marks are hanging over the availability of Dessie Dolan and John Smith while Damien Healy and Martin Flanagan both looked very rusty in Tullamore.
Dessie’s knee injury means that even if he does play at some stage (and I don’t think he will ), he will be posted out the field where there is less sharp turning. This means that Westmeath go into battle without our most potent attacker over the past decade.
John Smith might not score a lot but he is still an invaluable member of the attack. His workrate and willingness to get stuck in would be a major asset against a team like Dublin. Hopefully he will make the cut but by all accounts it will be a close call.
Martin Flanagan and Damien Healy both looked off the pace against Wicklow. Both are big game players and bring a wealth of experience. Can they roll back the years and light up Croke Park on Sunday? For Westmeath to win they will need to.
Midfield is where this game will be won or lost. Darren McGee and Ross McConnell form a strong midfield partnership, with Ciaran Whelan likely to see action at some stage. David O’ Shaughnessy put in a massive display when introduced two weeks ago and looks likely to start. Whether this will be at the expense of Flanagan or Duffy remains to be seen. Personally I would leave Duffy in midfield and move Flanagan either to the forty or the edge of the square. He knows how to score goals and realistically we’ll probably need one if we are to win. Paul Bannnon has been impressing in training lately and could be introduced around the middle at some stage.
Conor Lynam had a dream debut but will be asked tougher questions on Sunday. Hopefully he will have the answers. Fergal Wilson got the all- important equalizer the last day and he will be needed to show the same sort of leadership on Sunday.
Croke Park is made for players like Denis Glennon. His speed makes him almost impossible to mark when he puts his mind to it. Too often though, he drifts in and out of games. His performances there in 2004 saw him nominated for young footballer of the year. Even though he has regularly carried us up front since then, I still feel we haven’t seen the best of him. Concerns over a hamstring might have hampered him the last day but if we are to stand any chance on Sunday we need Denis flying on all cylinders for the full seventy minutes. He has to treat every ball as if the last. He’s one of the few players around that can run at and beat any defence. A lot of eyes and hopes will be resting on him on Sunday but at this stage he should have the experience to deal with that and deliver.
In summary, Westmeath have more questions than answers going into this game which is far from ideal. The possibility of the wheels coming off the wagon is always there. Yet if we weather the early Dublin storm and stay close to them at the break I think we’re in with a great chance. The longer you stay close to Dublin the more the doubts will set in. Keep the Hill quiet and not surprisingly your chances of success multiply. The converse is also true so the last thing we’ll want is Jayo or one of the Brogans putting one past Tubberclare’s numero uno.
Cautiously optimistic is the bracket I fall into. If everything falls into place our lads will give it a right good battle. There’s no denying that for quite a few this could be the last crack at the bigtime. Let’s hope their dream is still alive on Sunday evening.
Roscommon minors hoping to provide timely boost.
A week after the Castlebar catastrophe, when the senior side were well and truly put to the sword by Mayo, Roscommon’s minor footballers will be hoping to lift the spirits in the county by qualifying for the provincial decider. Leitrim provide the opposition for a game that throws in at 5.45 pm on Saturday in Hyde Park. Home advantage is always a plus and with players of the quality of St Brigid’s Jack Carty, Clann na Gael’s Cathal Shine and Padraig Pearse’s Niall Daly the Roscommon faithful have every reason to be optimistic.
Cats too strong for Westmeath
Leinster minor hurling semi-final
Kilkenny 2-19
Westmeath 0-06
Kilkenny’s minor hurlers proved far too strong in the second half for a game Westmeath minor side. In front of a large turnout in Cusack Park on Wednesday Seamie Qualter’s men trailed by only three points at the break 1-5 to 0-5 after having a goal disallowed.
Kilkenny upped their performance in the second period and were quick to put daylight between the teams. Westmeath battled well to the end but could not match the class of the reigning All-Ireland champions.
