Ladies: big performance need to continue run, says Mangan

Westmeath ladies manager Alan Mangan says he is "confident yet wary" ahead of this Sunday's Bord Gais Energy NFL Division 3 semi final against Armagh in Drogheda.The ladies, who are hoping to reach their second successive league decider, had seven points to spare over Armagh when they visited Mullingar last month, but according to manager Mangan, a late flurry from Westmeath put a gloss on what was a very hard earned victory."I think Armagh are the best team in the league apart from ourselves," he told the Westmeath Examiner.After the most successful season in the history of ladies football in the county, Westmeath have maintained their winning ways only losing once in the league, away to Leitrim. Mangan, who co-managed the team to league and all-Ireland glory last year with Peter Leahy, says that the secret to the team's success is simple - hard work."We had a serious base from last year and the girls have worked really hard. Martin (Flanagan) has also been a massive help with the training and motivational side of things. He has certainly brough something extra to the table."The ladies go into Sunday's game with a relatively clean bill of health. There are concerns over the availability of Jenny Rogers and Ciara Blundell, but their manager is hopeful that they will be available."We'll need to perform on the day and for every girl to play to the best of their ability. It's very hard to keep a run going like the one we are on," he said.