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GAA Football Championship Preview -
Westmeath bid for their first final appearance in 55 years
with Larry Cooney
Westmeath v Wexford
Leinster Provincial Semi-Finals, Sunday June 27, Croke Park.
Westmeath and Wexford meet in the second of this year’s Leinster semi-finals at Croke Park this Sunday. Not many would have predicted this novel pairing at the beginning of the champion-ship in early May but there can be no doubting that both sides have thoroughly earned their right to contest a place in this year's provincial decider.
Paidí Ó Sé’s Westmeath team have really matured and made progress since their disappointing league campaign when they only just avoided relegation. Having been drawn in the same half of the draw as Offaly and Dublin, not many outside Westmeath would have fancied Paidí Ó Sé’s team to reach this Sunday's semi-final.
No having overcome the odds, many feel it also presents Paidi O'Se with his best opportunity of leading Westmeath to an elusive Leinster title against Laois for the first time since 1949.
Much of Westmeath's hopes for Sunday will rest as ever on the shoulders of Dessie Dolan who was also the hero against Dublin in their famous quarter-final victory over Tommy Lyons team. Besides Dolan’s brilliance it was Westmeath's insatiable hunger for success that saw then through to victory over a beleaguered Dublin team.
Just as his Kerry counterpart Mick O’Dwyer led Laois to an elusive Leinster title last year, many now feel Paidí Ó Sé is also beginning to exert the kind of difference between success and failure at this level of competition.
The former Kerry manager has had his detractors in Westmeath since his high profile switch last October. However, the energy he brought to the sideline in both championship games so far this season has been quite invigorating and the achievement of his side against Dublin in a relative context ranks among all his great accomplishments in Gaelic football.
However, before West-meath can even contemplate a place in the Leinster final next month they will need to carefully consider the progress of their opponents next Sunday which to say the least has been quite extraordinary. Despite losing the services of star performer Scott Doran to London, Pat Roe’s team continue to progress in leaps and bounds and have deservedly earned their place among the elite of Leinster football.
Against Kildare in their last game, Wexford showed remarkable character in the second half and in Mattie Forde have one of the best marksmen in the game. As the Model County have already proved against some of the more established football counties this year, the bigger they come the harder they fall after league victories over Meath, Sligo and Galway.
While Forde’s contribution to Wexford will be just as important as Dolan’s is to Westmeath, the Model County’s rearguard is also quite formidable as Kildare discovered to their cost. Big games will once again be expected from defenders Philip Wallace and David Murphy if Wexford are to thwart Westmeath’s hopes of making their first Leinster final in 55 years.
Prediction: The Westmeath dream to continue.
Galway v Mayo
Connacht Provincial Semi-Finals, Sunday June 27, McHale Park, Castlebar
Galway and Mayo renew their great traditional football rivalry once again this Sunday when Connacht champions and defeated League finalists Galway go into the lion’s den of McHale Park for this year's second semi-final.
Both sides couldn’t possibly have had an easier passage to Sunday’s showdown with Galway and Mayo both recording facile victories over London and New York respectively in the opening round of the Connacht championship.
Galway and Mayo encounters are always eagerly awaited encounters and this Sunday’s game will be no exception as Mayo hope to take full advantage of their home venue in their bid to dethrone John O’Mahony’s team.
Galway will however be hoping to take over where they left off after their impressive league campaign and are rated by many as serious contenders for the Sam Maguire Cup.
More good news for Galway fans is that the highly influential Kevin Walsh will also be available. Walsh is expected to be fit again having recovered from a broken toe injury picked up in a National League game against Limerick last March.
The talented midfielder had a useful work-out recently for his club Killanin against Annaghdown. Walsh’s teammate and full-back Gary Fahey also sustained a knee injury during that same game, but is expected to make the Mayo match. However, Barry Dooney, who took part in Galway’s drubbing of London, will not be available after breaking his finger. The other serious casualty since the trip to Ruislip is Sean Og de Paoir who has suffered a career threatening cruciate ligament injury.
Mayo are likely to start with much of the side that travelled to New York but are also likely to welcome back Crossmolina’s Kieran McDonald. The return of McDonald would be a huge boost for John Maughan’s side.
Although Mayo notched up 3-28 against New York, Galway are sure to start favourites after their awesome display against London. John O’Mahony’s team will certainly be up against it on this occasion but the real test for Mayo is whether or not they will be able to cope with the speedy Galway counter-attacks which decided the outcome at Ruislip by half-time.
Prediction: Galway with a few points to spare.
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