Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 5:00pm

Dolan gives helping hand to former mentor Dempsey

by Kevin O'Neill

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Dessie Dolan was recently invited to a coaching session by Carlow manager Luke Dempsey - but Dempsey has ruled out a permanent involvement in the set-up for the Garrycastle star.

Dolan is currently maintaining a self-imposed exile from the senior Westmeath football team and recently helped out Dempsey with some forward-based training for Carlow.

However, Dolan's involvement with Carlow has been described by Dempsey as a "one-off", with the former Westmeath manager saying he regularly enlists the assistance of "outside" coaches to help his Carlow players.

During his time with the Lake County, Dempsey guided Westmeath to All-Ireland success at minor (1995) and U-21 level (1999).

Dolan was a key player in the 1999 triumph and he was also part of the Westmeath team which retained the Leinster U21 title in 2000. In 2001, Dempsey led the Westmeath senior team to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, with Dolan again part of the team.

Speaking to the "Westmeath Independent" this week, Dempsey, said:

"There's no talk of Dessie Dolan having a permanent involvement with Carlow.

I know Dessie very well from coaching him with various Westmeath teams, and also through school-teaching, so I thought it was a good idea to bring him into the set-up for a one-off coaching session."

"It went very well and I think Dessie enjoyed it.

The players took a lot from it and Dessie is very used to coaching and dealing with players.

The reason for bringing Dessie into the set-up was because we kicked 13 wides against Limerick and a further 12 against Longford.

Forward-play is something we (Carlow) feel we need to work on. Obviously, we wouldn't dream of enlisting the services of Dessie if he was still involved with the Westmeath team, but we felt it was worthwhile," added the former Longford boss.