Paul Bealin fully expects Westmeath to 'park the bus' against Dublin in tomorrow's Leinster SFC final, despite Tom Cribbin promising a more attack-minded approach from his underdogs.

The Lake County were ultra-defensive in last year's decider and stayed in the game until the 40th minute when the concession of two goals in the space of 60 seconds ended their challenge.

"They'll park 14 behind the ball, absolutely, I have no doubt about that," former Dublin midfielder and Westmeath manager Bealin told the Irish Examiner.

"It won't be a great spectacle but I don't blame them. If you take Dublin on toe-to-toe they'll destroy you. So that space will be limited for Dublin and it won't be pretty to watch. If you're Tom Cribbin, you don't care how you win. He'll get guys behind the ball and the important thing then is getting scores down at the other end when the chances are there.

"Kieran Martin in a one-on-one situation is very dangerous and Dublin have shown they're a little vulnerable under that diagonal high ball in, particularly against Laois. So Westmeath will try to exploit that. But primarily they'll be playing a defensive game."

Bealin, who failed to win a game during his year (2014) in charge of the midlanders, is adamant they will get little joy from playing attacking football against Jim Gavin's all-conquering charges.

"There's very few teams in Ireland capable of playing that way against them. Westmeath certainly if they set up that way will be destroyed," he continued.

"I'm not saying they'll beat Dublin playing defensively. The one big thing I've noticed about Dublin is they don't get frustrated against blanket defences. They're patient and they're prepared to wait for the right man coming off the shoulder to break through and kick a score.

"People get frustrated with that and all the lateral passing back and forth across the pitch but there's not much more they can do. So they're comfortable doing that but I still feel it is the way Westmeath will set up."

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