James Dolan says Westmeath are bettered prepared this year for the challenge of facing Dublin in the Leinster final.

The Lake County were overpowered by the Dubs in last summer's provincial showcase but have set up a July 17th repeat and Dolan is confident that - with the experience of 2015 under their belts - they can bridge the gap:

"That was our first Leinster final for all these players in there. It was a big final. . . the parade around Croke Park, the occasion is huge," the Garrycastle clubman told The Irish Independent.

"We don't have that problem this year. Last year we were all kind of looking around and taking it all in. This year I'm sure we'll go in a lot more focused and (take) the occasion out of it. We'll go up and enjoy it - they don't come around too often.

"Last year we didn't do so bad in the Leinster final. We had a defensive shape but I don't know if we are going to go the same away again. We are just trying to go one better. Dublin are unbelievable at the minute so we have to do something to counteract their strengths, and maybe find some weaknesses.

"We can't wait. This is why you play football - to play in finals - and after the bad year we had we are delighted to be playing in the Championship again and getting to a Leinster final."

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