Westmeath set for toughest test yet in Salthill showdown

As Westmeath prepare to scale another mammoth challenge, the air is definitely getting thinner with Galway lying in wait at Pearse Stadium next Sunday (throw-in 2pm).

A win for Westmeath would secure a coveted place in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals for the first time since 2006. Interestingly, the last time Westmeath reached the last eight, they did so with a victory over Galway at Pearse Stadium.

Westmeath supporters will fondly remember that 2006 match for Gary Dolan’s vital goal, the typically windy conditions in Salthill and Ja Fallon feeling the brunt of a challenge for the ball with imposing Westmeath netminder Gary Connaughton.

The recent clash with Cavan was an unforgettable occasion as Westmeath played on home turf less than two weeks after being crowned Leinster champions for only the second time ever. Quite simply, there has never been a Westmeath home match like it.

The stand at TEG Cusack Park was full about 75 minutes before the throw-in and as soon as fans entered Mullingar on the day, a carnival atmosphere was evident. People had to park in places they never had before.

Even the heavy rain that drenched exposed fans in extra-time couldn’t fully dent the mood as Westmeath battled back from six points down to claim victory.

In a hugely memorable campaign, the manner of the victory was possibly the most improbable of the lot. To win after extra-time for the third game in a row spoke volumes about the resilience and indeed the fitness levels of the Westmeath players.

It was a game Westmeath probably should have won with a bit of comfort, having led by nine points in normal time, and then should have lost after falling six down in extra-time, before eventually finding a way to prevail.

Overcoming Cavan, a county with a rich tradition, boasting five All-Ireland titles and 40 Ulster crowns, was no mean feat. All the more so given that the Westmeath camp had precious little time to refocus after their surprise march to Leinster glory.

There is no trophy up for grabs on Sunday but if Westmeath find a way to maintain this winning run, it would represent their greatest victory yet in terms of the quality of the opposition.

The Irish Independent recently ranked all the counties in contention for the Sam Maguire Cup, with Galway ranked fourth, just behind Donegal, Armagh and Kerry. This wasn’t in any way surprising. After all, Galway have contested two of the last four All-Ireland finals - 2022 (losing out to Kerry) and 2024 (when they were edged out by Armagh).

It was notable that after Galway were defeated by Roscommon in this year’s Connacht final, Pádraic Joyce brushed off the disappointment by stressing that his side’s aim was the All-Ireland title. Galway have a better collection of players than any opponent that Westmeath have faced yet in this year’s championship.

Both sides have played Kildare in this year’s campaign and if we use them as a sort of yardstick, it doesn’t bode well for Westmeath’s prospects (albeit this is a simplistic method of assessing the teams). Westmeath needed extra-time to overcome the Lilywhites, whereas Galway beat them with a degree of comfort on a 3-21 to 0-17 scoreline. Rob Finnerty (1-9) and Shane Walsh (0-6) scored 1-15 between them in that game, with Céin D’Arcy and Matthew Tierney both netting goals.

There is also Galway’s power around midfield to consider with John Maher, Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid and D’Arcy all strong and capable operators, while Séan Kelly often punches holes in opposing rearguards by driving forward from defence. The fact that Galway had the luxury of springing Damien Comer from the bench in their last two games indicates the variety of options at their disposal.

One of the main reasons some Westmeath fans are pessimistic about Sunday’s game is the ongoing injury problems in the camp. Matthew Whittaker managed to play through the pain barrier and to contribute significantly to both the Leinster final victory over Dublin and the win against Cavan. But it seems virtually certain that he won’t be able to play in Salthill, despite being named in the starting team - see team list here.

This would be a huge loss as the Tubberclair man’s ability to take on opponents regularly creates openings for teammates, in addition to being a valuable scoring option himself.

And of course, we can’t forget that Luke Loughlin, the player widely regarded as Westmeath’s best forward, remains on the sidelines.

Ray Connellan appeared to be impeded by injury against Cavan and there is a lack specialist midfielders in the Westmeath panel. Westmeath’s inspirational captain Ronan Wallace has also been hindered by injury during this year’s championship.

Key defender Shane Allen hasn’t been able to finish any of the last four games, with the wholehearted Athlone man emptying the tank each time before leaving the fray. Boidu Sayeh hasn’t played since the last league game against Wexford (though he is among the subs on Sunday) and Westmeath have been really short of defensive reinforcements. In that regard, Westmeath fans will be fervently hoping that Daniel Scahill shakes off his injury concerns.

Shane Ormsby, who would be a valuable option around midfield or at wing-forward, was withdrawn from the match-day squad for the Cavan game. The Mullingar Shamrocks player is among the subs for the Galway game and will surely feature on Sunday.

Can Westmeath take encouragement from how Roscommon managed to defeat Galway in the Connacht final? Galway led by six points with about eight minutes left and still the Rossies prevailed, with the pace of the Roscommon team really troubling Pádraic Joyce’s men on the day.

There are plenty of orange flag exponents in the Galway team and the Tribesmen can score heavily if they get into their groove. The key thing for Westmeath is to stay in touch in the hope of testing Galway’s mettle in the closing stages, just like Roscommon did in the Connacht final. Can Westmeath also learn something from what their neighbours Meath did to Galway in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final?

Westmeath played Galway in championship group games in 2023 and 2024, with the Tribesmen coming out on top in both games played in Mullingar. Some of the personnel may have changed on both sides since, but the Westmeath camp will be looking to learn some lessons from those encounters.

The spirit Westmeath have shown this year and their ability to cope with adversity means nobody expects Mark McHugh’s charges to go down without an almighty battle on Sunday.

Yet Galway’s pedigree and greater strength in depth means it will be a very tall order for Westmeath to actually win the game. The bookmakers have listed odds such as Galway 2/9 and Westmeath 4/1, and these prices are not pulled out of the thin air by the canny bookies.

Whatever happens on Sunday, Westmeath will have at least one more game in this championship odyssey. Westmeath supporters will travel in hope and there is a decent chance that they will outnumber the home fans on the day. Yet it’s likely that the Tribesmen will be preparing for the All-Ireland quarter-finals when time is called on the action.