Martin praises 'much improved' display by Westmeath hurlers

"They just didn't put in the effort last weekend (against Laois) and this was much improved. I had a good chat with them and they got inside their own heads really to put up that performance today." These were the first words from an upbeat Kevin Martin in his post-match media briefing after his Westmeath charges undoubtedly emerged with honour despite an eight-point defeat to Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds last Saturday afternoon. It was put to the Offaly man that his side was unlucky to be in arrears at half-time, and he concurred. "We dominated for a lot of periods in the first half and could have had a goal and missed a few frees." Alluding to a controversial retake of a Limerick free in the last action of the first moiety, Kevin stated: "Brian (Smyth) jumped off the ground and he was penalised for it. He didn't know that rule." He went on to say: "Brendan (Murtagh) had a goal chance and their keeper did well. I have to hand it to our lads, they dug in. In the second half, we lost our way for a while and broke down in a few positions. The game we're trying to play just broke down in certain areas, but we'll get there. They know what's required now. And hopefully we can kick on from here now." When he was queried as to whether Limerick's dominance on the scoreboard in the second half was due to the losers' inferior fitness, the former All-Star was reluctant to be overly-critical of his troops: "Ok, fitness levels may have had a small bit to with it, but talking to Donal O'Grady he said it was very hard getting Limerick all together for group training with lads in third level education. Fitness-wise Westmeath were not bad, but a few positions broke down today. But overall, I'm happy; it was a good performance." With Clare lined up as his next assignment, the manager was positive about the visit of the Banner County to Cusack Park on Sunday week: "Since I came in last year, the problem with this team has been consistency. They play brilliantly one day and the next day, if things are not going well for them, they kind of just don't bother. Again it's mindset. Hopefully, with a good bit of work next week we'll be up for Clare the following week. You're as well off meeting Clare now and if we keep at that level, we'll do fine against Clare. Again it's belief. Westmeath don't believe they're as good as these teams, but they are. I'm sick trying to get this into their heads, but we're working on it." The Westmeath management had to make two switches from the selected team, but Kevin praised the strength-in-depth of the panel. "Christopher Flanagan was sick and Darren McCormack has a groin injury. Donal O'Grady told me he was smiling a bit when he heard Darren wasn't playing. He knows our players and how good they are. We brought in a few subs. It's early in the year and lads were getting tired, but I wanted a competitive performance today whether we won, drew or lost and I'm happy going home this evening," Kevin concluded, on an afternoon when dignity was certainly restored to the maroon and white jersey.