The Westmeath minors who made major waves... 25 years ago

Pictured above: The Westmeath minor football team which defeated Derry in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park on September 17, 1995.

Today marks the 25th anniversary to the day since Westmeath won the All-Ireland minor football title – a success which proved a major turning point in the county's sporting history.

The All-Ireland U-21 success in 1999 (with Luke Dempsey again the successful manager) obviously had a bigger impact in terms of bringing players through to the Westmeath team which finally ended the long wait for a Leinster senior crown in 2004.

Only four members of the 1995 side won Leinster senior medals in 2004, and none of the quartet made the starting team or featured in the win over Laois in the provincial final replay.

Yet there was no doubt that the 1995 breakthrough acted as a catalyst and boosted self-belief at all levels.

In a county starved of success for so long, confidence levels tended to be wafer thin and Westmeath often appeared incapable of overcoming setbacks. However, the ground-breaking 1995 campaign helped to erase the losing mentality and inferiority complex that had dogged the Lake County for so long.

People from other counties might question the importance attached to an All-Ireland minor title. Yet, in the context of Westmeath GAA's history, it was a hugely significant triumph.

It was the first All-Ireland title Westmeath had ever won at the top level of any of the main grades of competition – minor, U-21 and senior. The closest Westmeath had come previously was when Michael Cremin's minor team reached the 1963 All-Ireland minor final.

The 1995 Leinster final trilogy against Laois became the stuff of legend and Westmeath brought huge support to the two replays played in Tullamore. The intensity of the atmosphere at those matches will never be forgotten by anyone in attendance.

Westmeath went on to defeat Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final before a hugely memorable victory over Derry in the decider on September 17.

In what was an odyssey encompassing eight matches, Westmeath also defeated Wexford, Wicklow and Longford during their Leinster campaign.

Here we profile the Westmeath heroes who brought the Tom Markham Cup to the county for the first and, so far, only time.

1. Aidan Lennon (St Joseph's)

The solid goalkeeper kept clean sheets in the last three games of the 1995 campaign. He subsequently became Westmeath goalkeeper at senior level until replaced by Gary Connaughton during the 2004 season. Lennon gave lengthy service to St Joseph's, operating as an outfield player for the Horseleap/Streamstown club. Was involved with the management of the Westmeath ladies team, and he went on to manage the Westmeath minor team.

2. Damien Phelan (Moate All Whites)

The flame-haired defender was possibly the most recognisable figure on the team and when he drove out of defence with the ball in determined fashion, it was a sight which lifted teammates and supporters alike. Phelan won a Westmeath SFC medal with Moate in 1997, but his diminutive stature made a breakthrough at senior inter-county level difficult. Anyone who went to the Carmelite College at the same time will remember his prowess as a soccer player.

3. Kevin Hickey (Shandonagh)

The strongly built full-back did very well in curbing Derry dangerman Joe Cassidy in the All-Ireland final. Hickey was the manager of the Shandonagh team which won the Westmeath intermediate football title in 2018.

4. Fergal Murray (Athlone)

Undoubtedly one of the most decorated Westmeath players ever, Murray went on to complete the set of Leinster medals – minor, U-21 and senior, in addition to All-Ireland medals at the minor and U-21 grades. Was part of the Athlone team which won the Flanagan Cup in 1998, the club's last success at that level. A tidy and tenacious corner-back, Murray has given huge service to Athlone and has also been a fine soccer player, featuring for Athlone Town at underage level and for Willow Park in later years.

5. Martin Murtagh (The Downs)

A tough and consistent defender on the 1995 team, Murtagh was one of three players from The Downs club on the successful side. He later emigrated to London and played in a county final for the Tara club based in the English capital.

6. Kenny McKinley (St Loman's)

The centre half-back was a key figure on the 1995 team but injury problems prevented him from making an impact at senior level. He was captain of the St Loman's team which reached the club's first senior county final in 41 years in 2009, losing out to Garrycastle. Has been heavily involved in coaching and was manager of the Westmeath ladies football team for a spell.

7. Shane Deering (The Downs)

A swashbuckling figure, his fearless tackling and dashing solo runs lit up many a game. At a time before any talk of black cards, his cynical foul on Derry's Joe McBride ensured, in no uncertain terms, that Westmeath would not concede a goal in the closing stages of the All-Ireland final. Like Fergal Murray, he was also part of the successful 1999 U-21 team. Deering captained The Downs to Westmeath SFC success in 2005 (when they defeated Athlone in the final after a replay.) His father Shay was a renowned rugby player and Ireland international.

8. Damien Gavin (St Mary's Rochfortbridge)

The team captain, Gavin proved an inspiring figure on the team. At senior level, his best moment came when he fisted the winning point in the famous win over Mayo in the 2001 All-Ireland qualifiers. In recent years, Gavin has been the manager of the Westmeath U-20 team.

9. Joe Casey (Castledaly)

Arguably the heartbeat of the team, he formed a formidable midfield partnership with Damien Gavin. Casey's two wonderful points in the All-Ireland final have lived long in the memory. Played in the 1997 Leinster U-21 final against Meath, but injuries scuppered his progress at senior level. His brothers JP and Russell were part of Westmeath's 2004 Leinster-winning quad.

10. John Deehan (Moate All Whites)

An industrious wing-forward, Deehan scored Westmeath’s only goal as part of an excellent display the All-Ireland semi-final win over Tipperary. The Moate man was still eligible for the minor grade in 1996 when he captained the Westmeath team. Won a senior championship medal with Moate in 1997.

11. Thomas Cleary (The Downs)

Possibly the most talented player on the team, Cleary combined footballing skill with considerable physical strength. Scored 1-5 in the All-Ireland final in a player of the match performance. Was seen as a future senior star but although he was to the fore in clashes against Offaly in 1997, he never made the impact expected. Known as 'Tosh', Cleary enjoyed Flanagan Cup success with The Downs in 2003 and 2005, having also had a spell with St Vincent's of Dublin.

12. Tom Stuart Trainor (Athlone)

The Athlone man scored two goals in the epic first replay of the Leinster minor final against Laois. Was part of the 2004 senior squad but never commanded a regular place at senior championship level. Helped Athlone to lift the Flanagan Cup in 1998 and also played rugby with Buccaneers. In recent years, Tom has been involved with Caulry having moved to the club's catchment area.

13. Keith Glennon (St Loman's)

Scorer of the all-important goal which swung the third instalment of the Leinster final in Westmeath's favour. An exciting attacker, Glennon also found the net in the Leinster semi-final victory over Longford. His brother Gary was part of the last Westmeath team to win the Leinster minor title in 2000.

14. Cathal Keane (Rosemount)

A skilful forward who was always a threat to opposing defences, Keane came up with many important scores during the 1995 campaign. Keane was often Rosemount’s main man in attack in subsequent years. Another member of the Carmelite College contingent. An older brother of John Keane, who was a key figure in Westmeath’s 2004 side and is the county’s only double All-Star.

15. David Martin (Maryland)

His freetaking prowess made him an important cog in the 1995 team. Was the top scorer when Westmeath finally overcame Laois in the Leinster decider. Featured for Westmeath at U-21 and senior level. David helped Maryland to win the Westmeath intermediate title in 2008, and is a cousin of current Westmeath senior star Kieran Martin.

Rest of panel

Cathal Mullin (Garrycastle)

Cathal Lyons (St Loman's)

Donie Buckley (Moate All Whites)

Ollie Kirby (St Malachy's)

Ger Heduvan (Ballynacargy)

Niall Seery (Tyrrellspass)

Michael Bannon (Tang)

Kenneth Berry (St Mary's Rochfortbridge)

Colm Coyne (Coralstown/Kinnegad)

Alan Daly (Garrycastle)

James Galvin (Castledaly)

Colm Holohan (Garrycastle)

Thomas Maleady (Rosemount)

David Walls (Mullingar Shamrocks)

Matthew McCormack (Kilbeggan Shamrocks)

Management team

Luke Dempsey (manager), Eunan McCormack (The Downs), Paddy McCormack (Bunbrosna), Johnny Moran (Maryland), JJ O'Connor (St Mary's Rochfortbridge). Team doctor: Dr Jerry O'Flynn. Physio: Eddie 'Killer' Byrne.