Croke Park final ‘a big opportunity for all players’

Westmeath senior footballers face a formidable task against Down in the Allianz Football League Division 3 final at Croke Park on Saturday evening (7.15), on the back of a very disappointing defeat to Sligo on Sunday.

The result of the league final - rather than the Division 3 table - will determine Sam Maguire Cup placings if required later in the season, which means there will be plenty at stake when Westmeath renew rivalry with the Mourne men. The sides played out an exciting draw at TEG Cusack Park last Sunday week.

Down finished on top of the table with an unbeaten record and their victory over Clare in Newry (3-15 to 1-10) last Sunday ensured that Westmeath go up in second place.

Dessie Dolan has had to manage an incredibly tough schedule of games and it doesn’t get any easier as Down, Wicklow and potentially Kildare await over the next three key weekends for the Lake County.

“We need to regroup now and see: it’s a very busy schedule. We had Down last week, a big game; we’re away here (in Sligo) and it’s up to Croke Park next weekend for the final. A week later, it’s Wicklow in the Leinster championship, so it’s hectic, but it’s great to have these challenges ahead,” observed the Westmeath manager after Sunday’s game at Markievicz Park.

Fatigue was certainly a factor on Sunday, Dolan believes and the team failed to sparkle as Sligo ran out comfortable winners, 1-14 to 0-11. While clearly pleased to gain promotion, he feels such a hectic period is unfair on inter-county players who need more recovery time.

“To be fair, take Westmeath: we played four weekends in-a-row, two weekends before the Down game. So it just feels like you don’t get an opportunity to take a breath at all. I’m not giving out, the schedule is the schedule, but for example, if you were to look at Westmeath and say they can potentially play five weekends in-a-row, for amateurs I don’t know how that can stack up,” he said.

“Jason Sherlock is on the bus with me, and he said Dublin have never had to do it, in all his time with them. I don’t understand: we’re packing games in, but you could see today the players are tired. And they have to head for Croke Park next Saturday.”

While Westmeath welcomed back John Heslin for his first appearance of the league, they were outplayed in the second half, having led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. With the breeze behind them in the first half, the visitors needed a much bigger lead.

“It was a disappointing match, a poor performance. We struggled to get going for most of the day; we were just very flat,” admitted Dolan.

“Sometimes it happens. No matter what we tried, it didn’t work out. Overall, it was a poor performance. We have had a tough league and they looked tired; they didn’t look like they had much spark in them.

"Normally we are just there or thereabouts, but today it was just a little flat. But we played nearly the entire league without John Heslin, up until the last half hour. So that’s really important that other players stood up throughout the league. It is great to have John’s experience back there.”

Dolan needs more time to assess the injury situation, but stressed every player will be vital for the league final next weekend.

“We need everyone. Down won comfortably today (against Clare) and it was a massive performance last week in Mullingar to get the draw, even though it felt a long way from that today,” he said.

After next weekend, Westmeath will face Wicklow a week later in the Leinster championship (April 7) and should they justify favouritism and progress, Kildare will await in the quarter-final. Whether it’s an advantage to have such a run of competitive games remains to be seen.

“Kildare will come in very fresh to that game, that’s the problem. Glenn (Ryan) was here today. But there’s no point in complaining about it, we have to do it. We have a big squad of players and lads to come in as well. That’s all we will worry about,” said Dolan.

“Whatever challenge is put in front of us we will take it. We know next Saturday against Down will be a great opportunity because all the players will be delighted to get in to Croke Park.”

The Division 3 decider will be preceded by the Division 4 final between Laois and Leitrim (5pm). All four football finals will be televised live on TG4 (see fixtures below).

Saturday, March 30

Allianz Football League Division 4 final

Croke Park: Laois v Leitrim, 5pm.

Allianz Football League Division 3 final

Croke Park: Down v Westmeath, 7.15pm.

Sunday, March 31

Allianz Football League Division 2 final

Croke Park: Armagh v Donegal, 1.45pm.

Allianz Football League Division 1 final

Croke Park: Dublin v Derry, 4pm.