Westmeath won't lack motivation for Kildare challenge

Leinster SFC semi-final preview

A place in the Leinster Senior football final is up for grabs when Westmeath take on Kildare next Sunday at O’Connor Park, Tullamore (2pm) in an eagerly awaited semi-final.

Two weeks on from their 4-18 to 0-25 victory over neighbours Meath at the same venue, Westmeath will approach the last four clash in confident mood and while another huge test awaits against a Kildare side which denied them last year, there is a sense of optimism that the Lake County can push really hard for the coveted final spot.

Luke Loughlin has confirmed he will miss the rest of the season and while that is a blow to Westmeath, it can fuel an even greater effort from the other players who will now be motivated to make an even stronger bid in his absence.

Loughlin came off clutching his hamstring against Meath in the 51st minute of that memorable quarter-final victory.

Westmeath reached Leinster finals in 2015 and ‘16 under Kildare man Tom Cribbin, but Dublin were at the peak of their powers then and there were defeats of 13 and 15 points respectively. Suddenly Leinster looks a more level playing field these days and there is greater belief among counties like Westmeath and Louth, the latter having won last year’s Leinster title.

The mood in the county has lifted and manager Mark McHugh is obviously keen to guard against any hype in the aftermath of that famous victory over Meath, just the county’s second ever against the Royals at senior level. There’s a low-key build-up in Westmeath, but after their quarter-final success, players spoke of the need to show greater consistency.

Loughlin, scorer of 0-6, including a fine two-pointer at the start of the second half, said the players are determined to show the failure to win promotion in the league was just a blip.

“We were written off a bit and a couple of us, including myself, had something to prove. We were very inconsistent in Division 3, so a lot of us were determined to show we can do better,” he said.

“We were a kick of the ball away from Division 2; we were cruising in that game against Wexford. The three of us in the inside forward line, myself, Shane and Brandon, have the beating on anyone, but the challenge was to match that flair with workrate. Even after the Longford win that was shown in the video analysis.” Looking towards a provincial semi-final against Kildare, midfielder Ray Connellan said the focus would be on Westmeath producing their best performance possible rather than worrying about the Lilywhites.

“We just have to worry about ourselves. If we start to think about the possibilities that lie ahead that’s when you start to lose focus on the task at hand. Our focus will certainly be on what is to come,” he remarked.

Connellan, who played in both the 2015 and ‘16 Leinster finals, acknowledged that Mark McHugh and the management team had “instilled confidence” in the players, allowing the team to play with “freedom”.

“The management’s style of play gives us a platform to go and perform to our capabilities. This team has been building for a number of years and Mark has now brought us to a new level,” he added. While a feeling of euphoria lingered in the post match dressing room, tenacious wing-back Matthew Whittaker was eager to stress that “no trophies were handed out” for beating Meath in a Leinster quarter-final.

“We’ll look to go again against Kildare and I am sure that Mark and the management team are already preparing a game plan for the semi-final,” remarked Whittaker.

The form lines are promising after Down’s great victory over Donegal in the Ulster SFC last Sunday. Westmeath lost to Wexford - a game many believe they should have won - and Wexford went on to push Down very close in the Division 3 final at Croke Park. Down’s impressive display underlines the competitive nature of the league.

Westmeath will need another massive display to avenge last year’s defeat in Newbridge, but there is renewed belief in the side after two championship performances that have produced scoring totals of 5-25 and 4-18.