After a nightmare 2002, Westmeath started 2003 on a positive note. But despite annexing their second National League Division 2 title in three years, they were still unable to break the Meath hoodoo in the Leinster championship. Westmeath put the bitter memories of 2002 behind them when they captured the National Football League Division 2 crown for the second time in three years on May 4 last. Over the past 12 months, the county footballers have taken supporters on a roller-coaster ride and it is difficult to know where it will stop off. After the highs of 2001, last year proved to be the proverbial letdown with a spate of injuries ruining any hopes of survival in Division 1A or a decent run in the championship. Disheartened by events, Luke Dempsey's depleted side never got going and it didn't really come as any surprise when they were eventually put out of their misery by a mediocre Fermanagh side in the All-Ireland qualifying series. We begin our review on May 12, 2002 - the day Westmeath set out on a championship campaign which will hold few fond memories for players and supporters alike. After losing six of their seven outings in Division 1A, Westmeath were badly in need of a boost, but not even a 1-14 to 0-10 victory over Carlow at Portlaoise could provide it. In an utterly forgettable affair, Westmeath only made sure of victory in the closing stages when Shane Colleary scored the only goal. Carlow carved out an excellent goalscoring opportunity after three minutes, but veteran Willie Quinlan failed to capitalize on it. The accuracy of JP Casey gave Westmeath a slight edge, but it took the introduction of Michael Ennis to finally kill off the Carlow challenge. Three weeks later, Westmeath fans returned to O'Moore Park for another showdown with Meath. In three attempts during 2001, Westmeath had failed to master Sean Boylan's charges and it proved to be a similar story on this occasion. The first half was a rip-roaring affair with the action swinging from end to end. But disaster struck for Westmeath in the second minute of injury-time when Trevor Giles dispossessed Fergal Murray before Graham Geraghty sent Ollie Murphy clear and Murphy cleverly centred for Evan Kelly who had the simple task of knocking the ball to the net with Aidan Lennon stranded. A one-point deficit had suddenly become four and there was simply no way back for Westmeath in the second half as the Royals seized control of the game. With the Meath big guns of Fay, Giles and Geraghty all florishing, a Westmeath comeback never seemed likely and, in the end, they could count themselves fortunate to have escaped with a four-point defeat, 0-11 to 1-12. The draw for the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers pitted Westmeath against Antrim and so it was off to Belfast the following Saturday for a game which offered Luke Dempsey's side the chance to resurrect their season. But Antrim were not the pushovers many had expected and they were a mite unlucky to finish on the wrong end of a 0-14 to 1-10 defeat. An impressive scoring display by Dessie Dolan helped the visitors to a 0-8 to 1-4 lead at the break - the Antrim goal coming from Kevin Brady in the 20th minute. Within three minutes of the restart, however, the lead had changed hands and but for some poor finishing, the Saffrons could have been several points to the good. Westmeath did well to stay in touch and a great point from Michael Ennis edged them in front with a minute of normal time remaining. Antrim refused to give up the fight, however, and they would almost certainly have snatched victory but for a brilliant save by Aidan Lennon from substitute Paul Close in injury-time. Relieved to have come away from Casement Park with a win, Westmeath had three weeks to get their house in order for the second round meeting with Fermanagh. Westmeath had home advantage, but it counted for little as the Ulster side stormed to a 0-14 to 0-7 victory. Westmeath started brightly, but they soon lost their way and by half-time, they trailed by 0-2 to 0-9. So wretched was Westmeath's first half showing that no fewer than four substitutions had been made before the interval. Three pointed frees on the restart provided the home side with a glimmer of hope, but Fermanagh were able to respond any time they looked remotely threatened. Westmeath couldn't get any closer than five points and to say that their championship campaign ended with a whimper would surely be an understatement. The post-mortem extended well into the autumn with followers wondering how a team that had illuminated the 2001 championship could have slipped back so much. At county board level, the players' fitness was criticised, but the bottom line was that Westmeath had neither the appetite or strength in depth when faced with an injury crisis. Despite the various criticisms, Luke Dempsey and his selectors were reappointed for a third year but, significantly, army man Johnny Mills was added to the backroom team as physical trainer. Encouragingly, Westmeath have shown a welcome return to form since the start of the year, but they still look short of being Leinster championship contenders. This year has seen newcomers such as Karl Henson, David Kilmartin, James Conroy and Gary Dolan come into the picture, with John Keane, David Murphy and Ger Heavin opting out. Due to long-term injuries to Paul Conway, Michael Ennis and David Mitchell, Dempsey has had to effectively rebuild the team with only five survivors from the 2001 National League Division 2 final win figuring in this year's success. Following a win over Louth and a defeat to Kildare in the O'Byrne Cup, the new season began in earnest for Westmeath on February 2 when they crushed a hapless Wicklow side by 2-16 to 0-5 at a bitterly cold Aughrim in their opening match of Division 2A. The writing was on the wall for the home side after just six minutes when they already found themselves 0-0 to 1-4 in arrears. The goal was scored by Martin Flanagan in the fourth minute after a brilliant move involving six players. Wicklow had reduced the deficit to 0-2 to 1-4 after 15 minutes, but then a second goal from JP Casey effectively ended the game as a contest. At half-time, the visitors were perched on a 2-8 to 0-3 lead and they continued to pile on the scores in the second half. Despite finishing with just 13 players, Westmeath collected their second brace of league points at Cusack Park a week later when they overcame a dogged Leitrim side by 0-8 to 0-5. Shane Colleary received a straight red card five minutes into the second half and was joined on the sideline by Rory O'Connell in injury-time after a high tackle on Leitrim's Shane Canning had earned him his second yellow card. While conditions were almost ideal for football, the game was devoid of any real quality and spectators had to wait an incredible 26 minutes for Colleary to score the opening point. Leitrim stormed back to lead by 0-3 to 0-2 at the break and they still had their noses in front at the time of Colleary's dismissal. As is so often the case, the 14-men rose to the challenge magnificently. In a 15-minute spell of almost total dominance, Des Dolan, O'Connell, Michael Ennis, Martin Flanagan and David Kilmartin registered points to put Westmeath on the road to a hard-earned victory. Luke Dempsey's side maintained their unbeaten run after they came from behind to beat Antrim by 0-15 to 2-7 at Casement Park on February 16. The home side led by 1-3 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter, but Westmeath had restored parity by half-time and did enough in the second half to take the spoils. With O'Connell and Colleary ruled out through suspension, Westmeath looked out of sorts in the early stages and were rocked in the 13th minute when Kevin Brady fired past Aidan Lennon. With JP Casey to the fore, however, they hit back with five unanswered points to draw level at the interval, 0-7 to 1-4. Antrim restored a three-point cushion in the 43rd minute when Peter McCann notched their second goal. But once more, Westmeath replied with five unanswered points to claim a victory which set them up nicely for a top-of-the-table clash with Limerick. With both sides having a 100 per cent record coming into the Cusack Park clash, something had to give and it was the home side who were smiling after they withstood a late Limerick rally to secure a 0-12 to 0-9 win. While Westmeath deserved their victory, Limerick pushed them all the way and might have salvaged a draw had Stephen Kelly not had a goal disallowed for a square ball infringement two minutes from the end. The visitors also suffered a major blow before the game when a leg injury resulted in Stephen Lucey's withdrawl. At the end of a cracking first half, Westmeath led by 0-7 to 0-6. A heavy shower during the interval made conditions extremely difficult for the second half, but it was Westmeath who adapted the quicker. In a fine spell of dominance between the 36th and 48th minutes, points from Gary Dolan and JP Casey were sandwiched between a brace from Fergal Wilson. Stephen Kelly replied for Limerick before Michael Ennis restored Westmeath's five-point advantage in the 55th minute. Scores from Muiris Gavin and John Mullane had reduced the deficit to a goal with eight minutes remaining, but some heroic defending from Damien Healy, David Mitchell and Karl Henson kept the Treaty County side at bay. Westmeath's biggest win of the campaign came against London at Rochfortbridge on March 9, but it was hardly impressive. A major upset looked to be on the cards when the Exiles led by 0-7 to 0-2 after 29 minutes. But the dismissal of London full forward Gerard O'Brien proved a turning point as Westmeath knocked over four points on the trot to reduce the deficit to the minimum at half-time. With wind and numerical advantage in the second half, the home side added a whopping 3-13 to run out 3-19 to 1-7 winners. Within 20 seconds of the restart, JP Casey had levelled and a further score from the corner forward in the 37th minute gave Westmeath the lead for the first time. A Martin Flanagan goal extended the Lake County's lead to 1-11 to 0-7 after 59 minutes and there was to be no respite for London as Casey brought his tally to 2-8 in the final quarter. Despite the 18-point winning margin, Westmeath hadn't played well and there was no improvement evident when they played Offaly in Tullamore on March 23 - a game which saw them surrender their 100 per cent record on a 1-10 to 1-13 scoreline. Westmeath opened brightly with points from Martin Flanagan and debutant Colin Whyte, but they were rocked back on their heels in the sixth minute when Karol Slattery scored a goal with Offaly's first real attack. The visitors produced an answer within a minute when Damien Healy raced upfield to score an early contender for goal of the season. Incredibly, Westmeath didn't score again until the first half was in injury-time, by which time Offaly had opened up a 1-7 to 1-3 lead. Westmeath resumed by outscoring their hosts by three points to one in the opening eight minutes, but then came another spell of Offaly pressure which yielded points from Ciaran McManus, Neville Coughlan, Pascal Kelleghan and Colm Quinn. Westmeath applied late pressure and were rewarded with points from substitutes James Conroy and PJ Ward, but Offaly comfortably held on for a thoroughly deserved victory. Promotion was still very much in Westmeath's own hands, though, and an improved performance against Louth saw them claim a 0-18 to 2-8 victory and finish level on points with Limerick at the top of Division 2A. Westmeath may have clocked up an impressive tally, but they made hard work of seeing off a Louth team that had corner back Alan Page sent off two minutes before half-time following an off-the-ball incident involving Des Dolan. At the time, Westmeath led by 0-9 to 0-3, but two quick JP Rooney points had reduced the gap to four at the break. Early in the second half, Rooney caught the Westmeath defence napping twice to give Louth the lead. With 13 minutes remaining, Louth led by 2-7 to 0-12, but fatigue then became a factor and Westmeath took full advantage, outscoring them by 0-6 to 0-1 in the closing stages to run out 0-18 to 2-8 winners. On April 19, Westmeath booked their place in the Division 2 final, but only after they had received a major scare from a wasteful Longford at Dr Hyde Park. Westmeath looked to have the game well and truly sewn up when they led by nine points with 12 minutes remaining. But Longford came storming back, scoring 1-5 without reply. Fortunately for Westmeath, time ran out for Longford and they held on for a 1-16 to 2-12 victory. Westmeath had opened up an early three-point lead before Paul Barden levelled with a goal for Longford. With Rory O'Connell in terrific form at midfield, Westmeath hit back with a barrage scores, including a well-taken goal from Gary Dolan in the 25th minute. At half-time, Westmeath led by 1-12 to 1-5 and, despite playing against the wind, they were nine points to the good before Longford staged their late comeback which almost brought them onto level terms. In the Division 2 decider, Westmeath renewed acquaintances with a rapidly improving Limerick team at Croke Park. In what was a thrilling contest, a late fisted goal from Martin Flanagan proved decisive in Westmeath's 2-12 to 1-14 victory. With four minutes of normal time remaining, Limerick looked to be in the driving seat, having battled back from a 1-9 to 1-11 deficit after 49 minutes to lead 1-14 to 1-12. But Westmeath refused to throw in the towel and when JP Casey sent a high ball towards the Limerick goalmouth, Flanagan rose highest to fist the winning goal. Limerick had chances to salvage a draw thereafter, but a lack of experience saw them go for a goal when a point would have sufficed. Just on the final whistle, Derek Heavin came to Westmeath's rescue when he made a super block to foil Conor Fitzgerald for what would have been the winning goal. The Shannonsiders registered the first two points, but Westmeath hit back with six points on the trot between the fifth and 13th minutes to take control. But a rather fortuitous goal - which resulted from Rory O'Connell failing to hold Muiris Gavin's long-range free - saw Limerick steam into a 1-8 to 0-8 lead at the interval. Seven minutes into the second half, Westmeath levelled at 1-9 each thanks to an opportunist goal from Gary Dolan. Westmeath got on top for a period after that, but it was Limerick who had put themselves in a winning position before Flanagan delivered his late knock-out blow. In contrast to 2001, celebrations were somewhat subdued after the success - a clear indication of the heightened expectations in the Lake County. There was also the small matter of a Leinster championship first round clash with Carlow seven days later to prepare for. As was the case 12 months earlier, Westmeath failed to impress as they overcame the Barrowsiders by 1-17 to 1-12 at a virtually deserted Croke Park. Worringly for Westmeath, if Carlow had taken any of five great goal chances - especially three gilt-edged invites in the first five minutes of the second half - things might have been very different. Royals inflict further heartbreak And so, the quest for a first win over Meath in senior championship football continues. Despite gallant efforts in Croke Park and Portlaoise on June 1 and June 7 last, Westmeath's championship record against their near neighbours reads: won 0, drew 2, lost 19. More than anyone, Luke Dempsey has been frustrated by the Royal County hex. Six times in the past three years he has led Westmeath into championship battle against Meath, only to be denied each time. Victory was within Westmeath's grasp in at least three of those encounters, but the Royals' indomitable spirit ensured that their unbeaten record remained. "Three years in-a-row is very hard to take," the Westmeath manager sighed after his side's crushing 0-5 to 1-11 defeat in the recent Leinster championship quarter-final replay at O'Moore Park. "It's tough on the players, and it gives a lot of credence to the whole theory that we will never beat Meath - which I don't concur with. But we have to still beat them." It could be argued that Westmeath had their best ever chance of finally laying the Meath bogey to rest on June 1 at Croke Park. After being outplayed in the first half, they staged a tremendous recovery which saw them turn a five-point deficit into a five-point lead. Instead of closing out the game, however, the old doubts began to resurface and Meath duly reeled off 1-3 without reply to regain the lead with three minutes of normal time remaining. Another agonising defeat looked to be on the cards until Dessie Dolan scored an incredible point from the Cusack Stand sideline to level the game. Then, with the game deep in injury-time, Meath centre back Hank Traynor picked the ball off the ground and for dissent, referee Michael Curley brought the ball forward to the 20 metre line, directly in front of the posts. Having already notched 1-7 in a brilliant man of the match performance, it seemed certain that Dessie Dolan would slot over the point that would hand Westmeath a famous victory. But with the weight of history resting heavily on his shoulders, he sent his shot about a foot wide of the right hand upright, much to the utter despair and disbelief of the Westmeath supporters. Final score: Westmeath 2-13, Meath 2-13. Meath went into the replay minus the services of Mark O'Reilly, Darren Fay, Ollie Murphy and Nigel Crawford, but it mattered little as Westmeath failed to scale the heights of the drawn encounter. A string of early wides greatly unsettled the men in maroon and, despite having played with the wind in the first half, they trailed by 0-3 to 0-6 at the interval. As they had done in Croke Park six days earlier, Westmeath made a promising start to the second half and they looked set to regain parity when Martin Flanagan was brought down for a penalty with 15 minutes remaining. However, Dessie Dolan's tame effort was comfortably saved by Cormac Sullivan and a quick Meath counterattack culminated in David Crimmins poking the ball past Aidan Lennon for the goal which effectively ended the game as a contest. "The game hinged on that 30 seconds," Luke Dempsey pointed out afterwards. "We were coming back into the game in the second half, but the penalty was poorly struck and within the same minute, Meath got a goal. No team will come back from that heartbreak. Not six points down against such an experienced outfit and a referee that suited Meath's style. "You would have hoped Dessie Dolan would have got last week's game out of his system, but he missed an awful lot of chances - and that's not running Dessie down. Martin Flanagan had a goal chance go just wide in the first half and it was one of those championship days when nothing seemed to go right." Shattered both physically and mentally, Westmeath must now attempt to pick themselves up. The wait to beat Meath continues and the momentous day is bound to happen soon. Tweet

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