Beating London is a must for Hanley

June 13, 2013

Brian Hanley celebrates Westmeath's win over Antrim in the 2012 Leinster SHC clash at Cusack Park.
Westmeath hurling boss Brian Hanley won't be settling for anything less than a victory over London in Saturday week's All-Ireland qualifier in Ruislip.

The Lake County were paired with the Exiles in last Monday's draw, and while Hanley accepts that it won't be any easy game for his side, he feels it's imperative that they win and set up a glamour home tie against either Waterford or Offaly in the next round.

"We must beat London and it needs to happen," the Galway native stressed to the Westmeath Topic.

"We need to get young hurling fans in Westmeath coming to watch Westmeath playing Offaly or Waterford in a senior championship match in Mullingar, but to do that certainly won't be easy.

"We have to overcome London and that will be a major obstacle. Just look at the Sligo footballers last week. They thought they had their work done, but London caused a major shock and we can't allow that to happen."

He added: "The opportunity to play Offaly or Waterford must be seized, it won't be easy but we must do it for Westmeath hurling."

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