'We still have a job to do’ - Dessie Dolan
Westmeath are one positive result away from promotion in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League as they prepare to face Sligo at Markievicz Park on Sunday (throw-in 2pm).
But although Sligo are out of contention for promotion and safe from relegation danger, Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan is certainly not expecting the Yeats County to roll over in the last round.
"I'm sure John McEntee (Sligo manager) will prepare his team well; they are a fine team. The league is going right down to the end. We know we have a job to do in Sligo next Sunday. It will be very difficult and we'll respect them," said Dolan.
“We'll look forward to next Sunday and it will be a battle. John McEntee is a serious operator. We have a job to do and we'll get the lads prepared for that.”
The other match which will have an impact on the promotion situation is Clare’s trip to Newry to face Down (all Division 3 games are listed for 2pm on Sunday).
A draw against Sligo will be sufficient for Westmeath to clinch promotion. However, a defeat to Sligo combined with a Clare win over Down in Newry would see the midlanders miss out. Those two results would see Clare top the table and Down finish ahead of Westmeath on scoring difference.
Reflecting on last Sunday's draw against Down, Dolan said: "I think it was a battling performance. Down are a fine team, the top scorers in the country. We knew it was going to be difficult and it was difficult; it was a very tough match. It was played with high intensity.
“There were plenty of mistakes, it’s still early in the season, but at the same time there was a lot of honest endeavour. I think a draw was maybe a fair result. Maybe we could have pushed on and got the winner but certainly they were attacking as well. At times I thought it was gone away from us.”
When wasteful shooting from both sides was mentioned, Dolan pointed to what he described as the “very difficult” wind.
"I think both sets of forwards found it difficult into that wind. It's notorious here in Mullingar, it's a tough wind,” he said.
“Both sets of players put in a massive effort. Come the end of the game, it could have gone either way; we'll take the draw."
Injuries have been a major issue for Westmeath so far this year and a talking point for teams across the country. Already without several players, Westmeath lost young forward Danny McCartan to an ankle injury within the first five minutes last Sunday.
"I was talking to Conor Laverty (Down manager) before the game and he mentioned injuries. I have a lot of injuries, Roscommon have a lot of injuries, a lot of teams have a lot of injuries. I think the schedule is very tough on amateur players. They don't get much rest and recovery; I've said this already,” Dolan remarked.
“The boys have a week to recover, they have to go to work during the week. It's very difficult for lads to get the time to adequately recover with this compact season."
Dolan said giving young players a chance to impress this year is “really important” for the future of Westmeath football.
"They did the work last year to get themselves into the position to play this year. It's great to see Danny Scahill doing well. The likes of Robbie Forde coming in there; he's been waiting for his opportunity and he did very well today,” he said.
"There were loads of mistakes but they're young lads, plenty of endeavour, they are working hard. Down made mistakes as well. It's difficult at this time of year; it's windy and underfoot conditions are tough. I think both sets of players went at it hard and it was a very good and enjoyable finish (for supporters),” added the Moate CS teacher.