At long last, Gary Connaughton's trophy cabinet has been decorated by an All-Star award after another outstanding season between the posts for Westmeath. But while he was delighted to become the Lake County's first All-Star goalkeeper, he claims he would have gladly swapped the award for a second Leinster medal. It was a case of third time lucky for Westmeath goalkeeper Gary Connaughton last October when he received his first All-Star award after being previously nominated in 2004 and 2006. The award was long overdue recognition for the brilliant Tubberclair shot-stopper, who has been widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the game since Westmeath's Leinster championship winning year of 2004. Big, brave, imposing and blessed with a tremendous kick-out, Connaughton has played a major role in the Lake County's recent successes and conceded just four goals in 13 league and championship games last year. "I was delighted to get the award, though I'm not sure if it was my best year for the county," the 29-year-old modestly says. "After Tyrone knocked us out of the championship, it was the last thing on my mind to be honest. But when it became apparent that some of the other top 'keepers like Diarmuid Murphy and Stephen Cluxton weren't performing to their usual high standards, people started to say that I might have a chance. Anthony Masterson from Wexford was also been talked about, but he let in three goals against Dublin in the Leinster final and that probably counted against him." Connaughton feels the selection of himself and team-mate John Keane on the 2008 All-Stars team not only reflected well on Westmeath's miserly defence, but on the rest of the team as well as the management. "If it wasn't for the rest of the team and management, I wouldn't have got the award. At the end of the day, it's all about the team and not the individuals," he adds. "We had a good enough year with the National League Division 2 title success the obvious highlight. But we wanted more than that and to say that we were devastated after losing to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final would be an understatement. We left that one behind us, just as we did against Tyrone. "The two sending offs were big turning points in that game, and we just have to put that disappointment behind us and try to bounce back this year. All our focus was on winning Leinster last year and if I had a choice between that and an All-Star, I would take the Leinster medal." A member of Westmeath's Leinster under 21 championship winning team of 2000, Gary played soccer with Athlone Town for five seasons in the League of Ireland, having had a trial with Newcastle United as a teenager. But in 2003, he decided to go back to his roots and concentrate solely on Gaelic football. He recalls: "I didn't make my senior debut for Westmeath until I was 25. Aidan Lennon had been the first choice goalkeeper up until then and it took me a while to dislodge him. I enjoyed the soccer, but my background is in Gaelic football and I have absolutely no regrets about going back to it." Connaughton pays tribute to the large number of people who have helped him become Gaelic football's number one goalkeeper. "This would not have happened but for the help and support I received from so many people down the years. The people in Tubberclair who got me started, the teachers in Marist College (Athlone), the soccer coaches, Luke Dempsey, Paidi O Se, Tomas O Flatharta and, of course, my family - they have all been big influences on me. And I also owe a big thank you to all the lads I've played with for their support and making me the player that I am." He continues: "It's nice to be Westmeath's first All-Star goalkeeper, but there were a lot of good goalkeepers before more who didn't get the recognition they deserved because they played on less successful teams." Eyebrows were raised last October when Connaughton wasn't even considered for the International Rules squad, but he insists he has no hard feelings towards manager Sean Boylan and his fellow Dunboyne man David Gallagher, who was chosen as the squad's goalkeeper despite not having played at inter-county level for two years. "It was disappointing not to get a trial for the International Rules, but winning the All-Star made up for that," says Gary, who kept goal for Leinster in last year's Inter-provincial series. "It wasn't just me who was disappointed, there are lots of other inter-county goalkeepers out there who would have felt the same. But in fairness to David Gallagher, he had the bit of outfield experience as well and maybe that's what Sean Boylan was looking for. I would love to have played for my country, but it wasn't to be." Welcoming Tomas O Flatharta's decision to continue as Westmeath manager for a fourth year, the affable sand and gravel contractor is looking forward to this year's championship and the prospect of Westmeath making amends for last year's disappointment. "The aim this year is the same as it was last year - to win the Leinster championship," he explains. "Like the rest of the Westmeath players, I'm delighted that Tomas has decided to give it another go because he has made a lot of progress with us and turned us into a very difficult to beat. I was always confident that he would come back, despite all the rumours about him going to Dublin. "Tomas has freshened up the panel by bringing in some exciting young prospects like Thomas McDaniel and Kieran Martin. We didn't have a great league campaign but it is important that we stay positive just like Tyrone did last year after they lost to Down in the Ulster championship." Whereas Westmeath had just two weeks to prepare for their Leinster championship opener against Longford last year after winning the National League Division 2 title (Gary stood in as captain for Dessie Dolan on the day), they will have the best part of two months to get themselves ready for a Leinster quarter-final against the winners of Longford and Wicklow this year. "There's a good break between the end of the league and the start of the championship, but I'm sure a few rounds of the club championship will be played in that time. Whoever wins between Longford and Wicklow, they'll be no pushover and they'll also have a championship game under their belt. But at least the game will be in either Mullingar or Tullamore, which are convenient venues from a supporter's point of view after all the travelling they had to do last year," he concludes. Tweet

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