Westmeath footballers have the opportunity to reach the first Leinster final at minor level since 2000 when they travel to Navan on Saturday to do battle with the Royals. Tom Carr has a very talented squad at his disposal and while they will wear the underdogs tag, they are well capable of causing an upset. At u16 level the Westmeath lads held the upper hand so there is no reason why they can’t do likewise two years on.
Carr will be looking for big performances from the likes of Izzy Ilunga, Mattie Darling, and Ryan Caffrey in defence, Theo Watts and Sam Omukoro in midfield, and Luke Loughlin and John Corbally up front if they are to progress to a Leinster final meeting with either Dublin or Kildare.
Meath will be backboned by many of the St Pat’s Navan side that lost this year’s Hogan Cup final. A win by the minors would go some way toward lifting the cloud that hangs over football in the county following the seniors’ exit last week. Hopefully they can oblige.
