New Westmeath manager manager Tom Cribbin insists there'll be no pressure put on county stalwart Dessie Dolan to reverse his retirement plans for the 2015 season.
The 34-year-old Dolan who had announced his retirement back in July, before the interminable list of fellow intercounty retirees began to emerge in the subsequent months, will be given until the new year to let the management know whether or not he’ll be reversing his decision and giving the county one more year.
That would be a seventeenth year for the 2004 All Star, yet off-the-back of his club campaign with Garrycastle which ended just earlier this month in a Leinster semi-final defeat to St Vincent's, Westmeath fans will be hoping Dolan will opt to fulfil a similar role for the county team in 2015.
For Cribbin, who has previously been involved with Kildare, Laois and Offaly, the return of Dolan would be a major boost to a Westmeath team who didn’t manage a single win in the league nor championship in 2014.
“I was expecting them (Westmeath) to be low when I went down there first, I was expecting no enthusiasm and that it would be hard to get lads back and stuff like that.
“Jesus, it’s been the opposite. I had 70 odd lads at trials for under-21 and every young lad we rang he was mad to come in. And at senior level, every single player that we asked literally came in except a couple emigrating but they had those plans already made.
“Dessie had made his decision to retire and we said we maybe wouldn’t talk to him until later in the new year, give him a break and he’ll know himself whether it’s right to come back or not and if he wants to come back he’ll be more than welcome and if he doesn’t that will be his choice to be honest with you.”
Dolan scored 1-5 against St Vincent’s earlier in the month, drawing upon all his experience to act as conductor in a young Garrycastle side, while his free taking remains as exemplary as ever.
Former county goalkeeper and now selector Gary Connaughton added that "he was a great bit of stuff. He was a great leader too in the dressing room and he'd inspire young lads around the county. He owes the county nothing (and either way) I'd say down the line he'd be a great manager for the county."
Cribbin confirmed the county will be without midfielder Denis Coroon and corner back Steven Gilmore, who will both be abroad for the year.
“The type of game we are going to be playing, we are going to be playing a game that suits playing the big teams and playing in Croke Park,” added the new manager, “to be honest we are very confident we will, and I think we will, be ready to perform in the Championship.”
