Westmeath odyssey continues
Damien Maher
Westmeath will face Galway in Round 2A of the All-Ireland senior football championship at Pearse Stadium, Salthill on Sunday (2pm), a game that will present the biggest test yet for Mark McHugh’s emerging side.
Lake County supporters are expected to travel in their thousands once again to the seaside town and it’s expected that Pearse Stadium will be reaching capicity.
Westmeath are unbeaten in their five championship outings thus far, overcoming Longford, Meath, Kildare, Dublin and Cavan. Galway lost to Roscommon in the Connacht football final but bounced back to defeat Kildare pretty emphatically in the All-Ireland series.
That 3-21 to 0-17 victory shows the level Galway are capable of reaching and Westmeath will need to bring even more to the table for this Round 2A clash, the winners of which will qualify for the All-Ireland quarter-final.
Speaking at the launch of the All-Ireland series, Westmeath captain Ronan Wallace said they are acutely aware of the challenge ahead and the need to bring an improved performance to the table.
“It’s a tough draw, but any team you are going to face at this stage will be tough. We have had a couple of battles with them in 2023 and ‘24, so we know what they are about. They have great forwards and a great defence. They’re obviously going well under Padraig (Joyce) - they are probably one of the top two or three teams in the country at the minute,” he remarked.
“So, we will need to be at our very best, but I know we’ll go down there with full belief that we can get the result.”
Westmeath have won one of their three previous meetings with Galway at this level, thatwas back in 2006 at Pearse Stadium, Salthill, when the Lake County were 1-8 to 0-10 winners in the All-Ireland qualifiers. Galway won both the 2023 and ‘24 meetings at TEG Cusack Park, when a Westmeath side managed by Dessie Dolan just came up short on both occasions after gutsy displays.
Galway had eight points to spare in 2023 (0-20 to 0-12) and Westmeath pushed them much closer a year later, losing by four (1-12 to 0-11).
A big Westmeath following is set to make the journey to Salthill and there’s a great atmosphere in store with the clash of maroon and white. There has been a growing fan base all season and the journey through the Leinster championship, and back to TEG Cusack Park for the All-Ireland SFC opener against Cavan, has been special.
Wallace praised the influence of John Heslin in extra-time against Cavan, the St Loman’s, Mullingar star playing a key role in the goal which eventually turned the game in Westmeath favour. Heslin forced a turnover that led to Brandon Kelly setting up Kevin O’Sullivan for the crucial goal and Westmeath had four points to spare in the finish.
Injury concerns remain around Daniel Scahill and Matthew Whittaker, both of whom impressed against Cavan. Whitaker played for 76 minutes, Scahill for 89, and they are key members of Westmeath’s defensive setup and with Galway carrying so much firepower up front, they are crucial players at this stage.
Yet the likes of Jack Duncan and Adam Treanor have shown remarkable ability to adapt in different games, while players have interchanged to great effect. Westmeath will not lack motivation under Mark McHugh and they will be determined to produce another big display in Salthill. The team for Sunday's big game, which is live on GAA+, will be finalised later in the week.