Solid win secures Westmeath a local derby in semi-finals

By Gerry Buckley

“I have seen Westmeath lose an often amount of times in my lifetime. Accordingly, it would be wrong to be overly critical of today’s win.”

This was yours truly’s post-match summation for Gerry Russell on Midlands Radio 103 in Netwatch Cullen Park last Sunday afternoon after the visitors had defeated Carlow by an unflattering five-point margin, thereby advancing to the penultimate round of the new Tailteann Cup.

A win is a win is a win, albeit the Barrowsiders fielded a distinctly average outfit. But their joy after surprising Tipperary in round one, allied to a larger-than-expected turnout of home fans (despite the saucy €20 admission fee) proved that Niall Carew’s troops were certainly keen to achieve the prized spot in Monday morning’s semi-final draw, guaranteeing a trip (a rarity for the multi-coloured men) to Croke Park on June 19.

Undoubtedly, Westmeath fans were spoiled in the heady days of the ‘noughties’ when Luke Dempsey, Páidí Ó Sé (RIP) and Tomás Ó Flatharta guided formidable maroon and white-clad sides to mouth-watering games at the business end of the ‘proper’ championship in GAA headquarters. It is a major bone of contention for those of us who experienced some very dark days supporting Westmeath in the last millennium that the vast majority of the fair-weather fans from two decades ago disappeared without trace when results went downhill.

Westmeath's committed players deserve big support next Sunday week. Offaly will certainly bring hordes of fans. I could have virtually predicted the precise names of those remaining diehards who travelled to Carlow.

Victory over Offaly would secure a slot in the final against Cavan or Sligo on July 9/10. A win in the latter would ensure that ‘An Iarmhí’ is the first name carved on to the impressive new silverware. Also, the management could relax somewhat in the spring in Division 3, possibly trying out new players in the knowledge that Sam Maguire Cup football was guaranteed regardless of how the team fared in the alleged race for the Delaney Cup. I used to sarcastically call it the Cluxton Cup.

More about the Offaly game next week, but suffice it to say that despite scoring an impressive 1-21 last Sunday, improvement will be needed if a place in the decider is to be garnered. Deep down, I never expected Westmeath to actually lose but, in many ways, Jack Cooney’s men made somewhat heavy weather of a very ordinary home team.

The Lake County lads led from start to finish, but the plucky Barrowsiders refused to go away without a fight and a paltry two-point lead midway through the second moiety reinforced this scribe’s ‘banana skin’ headline in last week’s ramblings. The concession of two very preventable goals is a worry, albeit the return of skipper Kevin Maguire to man the square is certain to toughen up the Lake County’s rearguard.

There were many positives, none more than the sight of John Heslin, undoubtedly the county’s marquee player since the retirement of Dessie Dolan, close to his majestic best. Perhaps we expect too much from the enormously talented St Loman’s, Mullingar attacker?

Certainly, two experienced members of the national press who only dip in and out of Westmeath games were raving about his performance. “Ten scores from ten shots on goal is top drawer stuff,” one opined. And he is right. In a nutshell, Heslin at full throttle is undoubtedly the most talented individual on view of the four Tailteann Cup semi-finalists.

Gaelic football is a team game, but gifted individuals turn games. Westmeath fans can only hope to see the former UCD star take centre stage on the biggest stage available to him on Sunday week.

Elsewhere, his club colleague Sam McCartan continues to display leadership qualities so rare for a man of his tender years. The old ‘he covers every blade of grass on the pitch’ cliché sums up the grandson of the legendary Sean Purcell, while his ability to chip in with a couple of scores (0-3 on Sunday) is a huge bonus. His withdrawal through injury near the end of the contest was a huge concern for Westmeath’s loyal fans present, all of whom will be hoping that he will back to his brilliant best come the semi-final. The immediate indications were that his ankle injury should heal quickly.

The Flanagan Cup holders will be very hard beaten again locally in 2022, and stand-in captain Ronan O’Toole’s two points brought the St Loman’s tally on the day to a whopping 1-14.

Luke Loughlin will be disappointed to have missed a brace of first half ‘45’s, but 0-4 was a fine afternoon’s work for The Downs man. Strongly expected to challenge for the blue riband of Westmeath club football, three black and ambers’ starters – the promising duo of Charlie Drumm and Jonathan Lynam were the others – was their biggest maroon and white contingent in a long time. As stated, the defence badly needs the return of Maguire’s physicality and experience, but yet again Jamie Gonoud put in a huge shift, scoring a fisted point to boot.

With the Tailteann Cup semi-final double-header having top billing on the day and live TV coverage, the latest second tier football competition has a great opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent spot on the GAA calendar. Meanwhile in the midlands, two counties hold their breaths!