Heslin’s heroics inspire Westmeath

Damien Maher

Inspired by the irrepressible John Heslin, Westmeath overwhelmed Antrim at TEG Cusack Park last Sunday to secure an emphatic 31-point victory and move into third place in Division 3 of the National Football League. With Cavan looking set to top he division, the Lake County are now one of four teams involved in the race for promotion, the others being Fermanagh Down and Offaly.

Heslin scored 1-12 of his side’s 4-27 tally as Westmeath cruised to victory and they will travel to Enniskillen on 18 March full of confidence to take on second-place Fermanagh, who enjoyed a 2-22 to 0-8 victory over Tipperary on Sunday.

Clearly reeling from their agonising defeat by Down a week earlier, Westmeath were determined to bounce back against the Glensmen.

“We were disappointed after last week’s game against Down. We felt we played well and they just got ahead of us then at the vital time having got momentum. We felt we needed to come out today, just lift our heads and put in a good performance. That’s what we did,” remarked Heslin after the final whistle.

Westmeath scored an impressive 2-12 in the first half and succeeded in improving on that after the break.

“We got ahead in the first half and, taking the learnings from last week, we knew we had to drive on in the second half, and we did. Everyone put in a good shift and the lads who came on put their shoulder to the wheel and drove it on. It was a great performance,” observed Heslin.

“We were determined to win the game, as we are all the time, and to put up a good score. When you’re scoring (heavily) at one end, it takes a lot for the opposition to go and beat you, rather than sitting back and inviting them on. We played well, we attacked well and it was a good all ‘round performance. But it’s important not to get carried away; we have a big game in two weeks we need to prepare for.”

Westmeath must overcome Fermanagh and hope Down slip up at home against Longford if they are to get back in the race for promotion. Realistically, it could go down to the final round on March 26, with Down away to Offaly and Westmeath at home against Tipperary.

“It’s been a tough three weeks; we had three games on the bounce, so it’s important to get the bodies right for the next game and focus on Fermanagh,” noted Heslin.

“We have to focus on improving game by game; we did well today, but there are areas we will need to work on. The (management) lads will go away and look at that, and as a group we’ll rejuvenate and get ready to go again the next day.”

He was quick to praise emerging stars like Senan Baker and Sam McCartan, who had a major influence.

“The younger players are improving game on game and they are driving it on. It just shows other young lads the kind of impact or influence you can have. Senan was excellent today and is learning all the time. He drove at Antrim and hopefully he can do more of the same the next day,” he added.

Westmeath will face Fermanagh on March 18 in the penultimate round.