It is perhaps a reflection of the high regard in which Westmeath football is now held that three men from the county are currently managing other inter-county teams. Until recently, Westmeath was looked upon as something of a GAA backwater, but last year's historic Leinster football championship success has changed all that. Perhaps it's a coincidence, but there are now three local managers lending their expertise to other inter-county sides. Luke Dempsey, who masterminded Westmeath's All-Ireland minor and under 21 successes in 1995 and '99 respectively, is in charge of Longford, Dessie Dolan Snr is overseeing Leitrim's fortunes, while Noel Dunning holds the managerial reins in London. While famous Westmeath natives such as Fr McManus and Fr Gilhooley enjoyed managerial success with Meath and Offaly, never before has the county had three managers guiding the fortunes of other inter-county teams at the same time. It's quite obvious that Westmeath football is now held in high regard and other counties believe they can improve their lot by appointing managers from the Lake County. More than anyone, Luke Dempsey has been responsible for transforming Westmeath's footballing fortunes. Although he played senior football for both Carlow and Kildare before taking up a teaching post in St. Joseph's, Rochfortbridge, he had only ever being associated with Westmeath teams in a managerial capacity before he stepped down as senior boss after three years at the helm in 2003. Dempsey first came to prominence in 1995 when he led Westmeath to their first All-Ireland minor football title. He took over the county under 21s a couple of years later and, with what was effectively a different squad of players, won a first All-Ireland under 21 crown in 1999. When Brendan Lowry stepped down as senior manager after the 2000 Leinster semi-final defeat to Dublin, Luke was the obvious man to succeed him. In his first season in charge, Dempsey guided Westmeath to their longest ever championship run which took in eight games and ended with defeat to Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final replay. The Royals were to prove a real thorn in Dempsey's side with the championship defeats in 2002 and 2003 (after another replay) ultimately bringing his reign as manager to an end. But by leading Westmeath to two National League Division 2 titles in 2001 and 2003 and to an historic All-Ireland quarter-final appearance in 2001, the county reached new heights which were only surpassed by last year's provincial championship success. After vacating the Westmeath post, Luke took charge of a crisis-hit Carlow team at short notice and guided them to a shock Leinster championship victory over Longford. Ironically, he now finds himself at the helm in Longford who narrowly missed out on promotion to Division 1 of the National Football League for 2006. Dempsey is currently putting the finishing touches to Longford's preparations for the Leinster championship first round clash with Dublin - a game which he will no doubt feel the midlanders are capable of winning. Before being appointed Leitrim manager last winter, Dessie Dolan Snr had long been regarded as one of the top football coaches in the Lake County and was touted as a possible successor to Dempsey as Westmeath manager before the job went to Paidi O Se. Dolan - father of Westmeath stars Dessie Jnr and Gary - has already overseen a major improvement in Leitrim's fortunes and it would appear that they are entering the Connacht championship in a healthy 7state. Son of a Galway man, where Dessie was born in Belfast - ironically the same city as Dessie Jnr made his senior debut for Westmeath against Antrim in November 1998. A short time later, the family settled in Athlone and from an early age, Dessie and his brothers, Ken and Frankie, took a passionate interest in football with their father Frank being a key influence. His first taste of success came in the early 1960s when he won back-to-back under 17 championships with Athlone. He later added minor, under 21 and senior league medals to his ever-growing collection. One of Dessie's biggest regrets is being just overage for the Westmeath minor team which contested the 1963 All-Ireland final. He had already established himself as a county senior at that stage. While all the talented forward had to show for his efforts with Westmeath was an O'Byrne Cup medal in 1964, he won senior championship medals with Athlone in 1965, '71 and '82 and also represented Leinster in the Railway Cup campaigns of 1968 and '69. Long before his playing career ended, Dessie had ventured into coaching. He was involved in coaching Athlone to some of their most noteworthy triumphs in the 1970s and early 1980s. In 1984, he qualified as a county coach. He became manager of Longford club Ardagh in 1985 and guided them to senior championship success two years later. He also achieved a similar feat with Killoe Young Emmetts the following year. In 1989, Dessie took charge of Offaly club Shannonbridge and within three years, had brought them from the junior to senior ranks. He later had spells with Athlone IT, Ardagh, Ballymun Kickhams, Tullamore and Ballymahon (who he guided to their first Longford SFC title in 2002) and was physical trainer to the Longford senior team during Eamon Coleman's time in charge. Coosan native Noel Dunning is the third Westmeath man currently involved in inter-county management. Despite his young years (he's only 31), Noel was appointed London supremo at the beginning of this year. The Exiles failed to win a game in the recent National League campaign, but showed signs of improvement in the latter rounds and will be hoping to put it up to Roscommon in the forthcoming Connacht championship. Since arriving in London in 1995, Noel has been a member of the Kingdom-Kerry Gaels club. His playing career began in the colours of Athlone, whom he represented at underage level until the age of 18. Three of his brothers, Paddy, Michael and Donal, have also played for Athlone, while a fourth brother, John, has played for Garrycastle. A past-pupil of Marist College, Noel transferred to Roscommon club St. Aidan's after taking up employment at the Claremount Hotel in Ballyforan which was owned by his uncle, John Dunning. While based in Roscommon, he won one under 21 hurling championship and two junior championship medals with Four Roads. Noel is assisted by former Cavan goalkeeper Paul O'Dowd - who won an Ulster championship medal in 1997 - in his role as London manager. Tweet

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