Dolan hails ‘great servant’ Martin and newcomer McCartan

Westmeath senior football manager Dessie Dolan was satisfied on Sunday as his side emerged from Aughrim with a six-point victory over Wicklow.

It means Westmeath are now in second place behind Down (who are ahead on points difference) and in a decent position for promotion after three rounds. They will face Limerick who are propping up the Division 3 table in round four next Sunday (TEG Cusack Park, 2pm).

Dolan was pleased with Sunday’s victory in Aughrim, historically a tricky venue, but he feels there is more to come from Westmeath.

“It wasn’t the complete performance by us. We’re playing Limerick next week and we have to improve in certain areas. Hopefully, the team will strengthen up with a couple of lads coming back into it as well, but certainly I’m happy to come to Aughrim and get a win,” he remarked.

Apart from a tentative start to the second half, it was a good day’s work by the Lake County. The vastly experienced Kieran Martin made a big impact again, with his goal giving Westmeath the impetus, and Dolan praised the Maryland man’s attitude.

“There was a bit of a wind in the first half, so I think that the big score of the game probably was the goal. Kieran (Martin) has come back early this year and he worked very hard before Christmas and put a lot of work into it.

“He always makes an impact, but we just felt he deserved to get in today from the start. He shows his experience as well, so there’s no better man when he’s running at you, he’s very hard to stop. It was a great goal and it set us up for the match.

“We did a couple of sessions out at Belvedere and it was a slog, it was cross country, that’s what Belvedere is, and Kieran committed early because he probably felt he had to, and he’s made a big impression in the games so far this year. He’s been a great servant and even against Clare last week, he gave us a lift as well. I think people love to see him coming and when they see him taking off the top, the crowd get a bit giddy. He’s a great lad,” he remarked.

Looking back at the match overall, Dolan said: “I think we came out to the second half probably a little bit asleep and certainly, if one of them (their goal chances) went in it could have been a different half,” said Dolan.

There were plenty of positives on the day, but Westmeath remain without the services of John Heslin, who is battling injury and his return could be a major factor for games in the latter rounds.

“John Heslin is injured at the minute, and we just have to respect that. He had a long season, a lot of miles, but to be honest, John is the ultimate professional. If he’s available to me in any way, he’ll want to be in the squad and he’ll want to be able to play, that’s the type of character he is. For now, he’s injured, and we just have to try get him back and give him the time he needs to get back into the fold,” said Dolan, when asked about the St Loman’s, Mullingar star.

Dolan is well aware that there is very little margin for error in a competitive group, even though Down and Westmeath have set the early pace. He is pleased to have experienced players back in the fold this year.

“The one thing I do know in Division 3 is that it’s very, very difficult and any day you could get beaten or turned over. That’s what I’ve learned the last two or three years being involved with Westmeath. I’m delighted that the likes of Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, James Dolan, Kieran Martin, Jamie Gonoud have committed to Westmeath football. That’s really important,” he observed.

He was also pleased with the impact of one of the new players.

“It was great to see Danny McCartan, Sam’s brother, getting his debut there and kicking three points from play. We’re trying to build a squad of players and get young lads in as well, that’s important.”

There was a sense of satisfaction in the Westmeath camp that the team travelled to Aughrim, historically a tricky venue, and triumphed on Sunday.

Victory has put Westmeath in a strong position as they attempt to secure promotion from Division 3, but Dolan is conscious of the hectic schedule players are enduring. “Straight away the focus will be on Limerick next week and then it’s Antrim away, so the schedule is hectic,” he said, also pointing to the Sigerson Cup commitments of some players.