LEINSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL: Dublin v Westmeath:A YEAR ago Dublin were expected to win and did but Westmeath illustrated sufficient flaws in the champions' game that the result was more relief than a cause for celebration.
A couple of months previously Westmeath had beaten Dublin in the NFL Division Two final, but with a number of missing players back on board the Leinster champions were expected to win with something to spare. Instead Westmeath pushed them all of the way.
This year the counties met at the end of a Division One campaign that saw Westmeath ripped apart by almost 30 points. They were at that stage however already relegated whereas Dublin needed the points.
On its first outing Pat Gilroy’s new model struggled. Clearly superior to Meath they limped to a narrow victory after a bewildering array of missed chances. In the intervening weeks the team has put in a lot of work in respect of shooting for scores and some improvement can be expected.
Last year’s encounter was one to forget for the Brogans with Alan dominated by John Keane and Bernard having to go off injured. They will accordingly be well motivated for tomorrow.
One of the artillery belt of bullets that Gilroy has had to bite has been the benching of established players. Once more Ciarán Whelan doesn’t start and neither does Bryan Cullen. Jason Sherlock comes in for the misfortunate Mark Davoren whose lively, speedy showing against Meath ended in cruciate damage and a summer off.
Westmeath had problems of their own having to resort to extra time to see off Wicklow, an option they would have gladly accepted just before Tony Hannon addressed the 45 that could have pushed Mick O’Dwyer’s team into the semi-finals.
But Tomás Ó Flatharta’s team are still developing towards their best form. Martin Flanagan will have benefited from the Wicklow match and even if Dessie Dolan hasn’t managed to reclaim a starting place he made a big impact off the bench the last day, as did David O’Shaughnessy, who caught three vital balls after coming in on and made a significant impact in extra time.
Dublin’s centrefield of Darren Magee and Ross McConnell can expect much more wrangling than they got from a peculiarly inert Meath pairing earlier this month.
But it will be the finishing of chances that will make the difference.
Neither side was particularly good at that 12 months ago and Dublin’s remedial work on the accuracy malfunctions of three weeks ago had better have had some impact.
At the back Gilroy has also tweaked the team, bringing in Rory O’Carroll as corner back – a move that probably took shape as soon as Alan Hubbard found himself being bounced around by Cian Ward, hardly the sort of chiselled-marble athlete that might have been expected to cause physical problems for your full backs.
Westmeath have reassembled an experienced unit, which will be confident in its ability to trouble a still evolving Dublin side. Nonetheless the champions have the ability and room for improvement to pass the test.
DUBLIN:S Cluxton; D Henry, D Bastick, R O'Carroll; P Griffin (capt.), G Brennan, B Cahill; R McConnell, D Magee; P Flynn, A Brogan, D Connolly; C Keaney, B Brogan, J Sherlock.
WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane (capt.); M Ennis, D Heavin, D O'Donoghue; M Flanagan, D Duffy; F Wilson, J Smyth, D Harte; J Connellan, D Glennon, C Lynam.
Referee: Jimmy White (Donegal).
In the last episode: Twelve months ago Dublin quarried out a two-point win after a claustrophobic encounter. It's five years since the previous meeting saw Westmeath win by two points on the way to a first Leinster title, a match that remains Dublin's last defeat in the province.
You bet: Dublin are a prohibitive 2/13, Westmeath 6/1 and at 11/1 the draw odds are the longest of this weekend's matches.
On your marks:With Dessie Dolan on the bench, Denis Glennon is Westmeath's marquee forward. He opened up looking likely to roast Ross McConnell last year and Dublin had to switch over David Henry.
Denis Bastick has looked a more likely conversion to full back this season but tomorrow will tell us a little more about his adaptation.
Gaining ground:Croke Park attracted just fewer than 70,000 spectators for this fixture last year. At five o'clock yesterday evening estimates were that about 60,000 fans would be in attendance.
Just the ticket: Stands €30. Terrace €20. Family tickets are available only for Cusack and Davin Stands: Adults €30 Children €5 (It is permitted to purchase two children's tickets with every one adult ticket purchased)
Crystal gazing: Neither side was impressive in the last round of the championship but Dublin have considerable room for improvement on the misfiring display against Meath. Westmeath are never easy to beat given their industrious cover defence but it will be a surprise if Dublin don't make their greater strength in depth count.
