Longford and Westmeath mightn't be the marquee names of the game but they got the summer off to a good start on Sunday. Neither side are likely candidates for climbing the steps of Croke Park in September but there was lots at stake at Pearse Park. Tomás Ó Flatharta is trying to re-establish Westmeath as a force after the blow-out against the Dubs last year. Victory here would have been a great starting point.

For the normally unflappable Luke Dempsey his body language suggested there was a lot of pent-up emotion involved in this one. His acrimonious departure from Westmeath after he had brought them so much underage success would have left a sour taste in Luke's mouth. It has to grate on Luke that he won an All-Ireland under-21 and minor title in Westmeath and had to go elsewhere to prove his worth as a senior manager. That background ensured that his loyal players weren't going to die on him on this of all days.

I have to admit for having a soft spot for Longford as they were involved in the two games which were turning points in my own managerial career. They beat us by a point in Pearse Park in a league game in 2004. My first game as Kerry manager. We played them in the championship last summer in Killarney on the day we discovered Bomber II. It could have been my last game in charge if Kieran Donaghy and co hadn't produced.

For Tomás Ó Flaharta this is a tough period. Westmeath aren't in action now till July. They have to stick together. Tough trick for a manager to pull.

In a way the sadness is that every crowd has their own All-Ireland in mind when they start off.

Sunday was a big win for Longford, beating their neighbours and winning their first Leinster championship game in six years. The win will ensure a successful season for them but it will end when some big fish swallows Longford.

For a manager of Luke Dempsey's quality that is unfair. Longford deserve the chance to get on a run as a team beating sides within their own grade and to reach a final. That is seen as success. And then the following season they should be able to take that success to the next grade. It can be a bit demoralising for manager and players knowing there is a ceiling to achievement.

It's an argument for another day but we have to have graded championships, three of them, instead of cup competitions which come into play when a team loses.