Fergal Wilson did not participate in Westmeath's breathless drawn encounter against Wexford. A chest infection benched him. That week he learned some crucial lessons. Only six days earlier, he had stood in Croke Park dazed and disbelieving to find himself so close to that most familiar of sights: Meath men celebrating.

But Wilson is part of Westmeath's new breed. That was the first time he had lost in Croke Park. And then, still sore and beset with gnawing Meath memories, Westmeath found themselves struggling in a new wave of Wexford exultation.

"Nine points down in that match, it was looking very bad for us," he says. "We were all simply devastated after the Meath match and even though we told ourselves we had to pick ourselves up, it was difficult. And Wexford were playing with great confidence.

"But the pleasing thing from our point of view was that we showed a bit of steel. We refused to lie down and scraped the draw."

Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey first saw Wilson playing for Marist College in Athlone and was immediately impressed with the youngster's speed and efficiency on the ball. He possessed all the qualities of a modern forward.

"I called him into the minor panel and he was really thrown in at the deep end when he had to replace John Brennan in the Leinster final, when he played with great composure.

"And he continued to excel at minor and under-21 level so I had no hesitation in calling him into the senior panel where, I feel, he has already shown that he has something special to contribute. Looking at his long-term prospects, well the world in his oyster if he can avoid injuries and burnout."

Wilson is emblematic of the new edge that Dempsey appears to have honed. Accustomed to success with the manager at underage level, Wilson brings a perfect blend of confidence and humility to the senior set-up, perfectly willing to "enjoy the attention which comes with winning without letting it affect him", as Dempsey puts it.

The key to Westmeath's durability - as well as winning the National League Division Two final, they have already had six championship outings this year - has been the seamless integration of the seasoned squad campaigners and Dempsey's protΘgΘs.

"Well, Luke is so good at dealing with people that it was never an issue," says Wilson. "I suppose for people like myself, training was familiar because we were used to some of the drills. But as well as that, the established panel members made sure that the newcomers felt welcome straightaway so that there was never ever any feeling of two groups."

Delighted as the Westmeath public is with signs that the years of underage work is eventually translating to senior momentum, Dempsey and his selectors profess themselves very happy at the realisation of the fitness plan they developed at the start of the year.

The initial schedule was designed to reveal aspects of core dedication, with a few early-morning runs on Kilbeggan racecourse. Over time, he admits that he lost some notably skilful players who didn'"Anything we asked him to do, he was willing. He has a great attitude, like the rest of the panel. And I think it is true that those who showed the most aptitude during those times are the players that have emerged this year.

"We are really working to a three-year plan here but at this stage, that has been the most pleasing part for us." Westmeath appeared to have developed ambition without any dangerous rush of blood.

After eliminating Wexford in the replay, they went on to remove Limerick and Louth from the championship." It is impossible not to speculate," "Maybe we would have had a chance against Kildare and when you are playing in a Leinster final, who knows. You think about it. At this stage, we regard it as a priceless lesson. Five points up and 12 minutes to go and we tried to fall back."

But Westmeath are still going. Today's match against Mayo will be a pivotal evening for the county. Wilson admits that making the All-Ireland quarter-finals would be a significant achievement for Westmeath.

But Mayo have had a lot of rest since the Connacht final. Wilson is friendly with James Gill and Trevor Mortimer since the three played together at Athlone this year - coached by Ger Heavin.

"I know them well and, as a team, we will go through the rest of their side before the match. They are league champions, a good side with plenty of All-Ireland experience. But we are looking forward to this."