Dolan hangs up his Westmeath boots

Westmeath's James Dolan celebrates. ©INPHO/James Crombie.

Long-serving Westmeath football star James Dolan has announced his inter-county retirement.

The Garrycastle clubman, who is a first cousin of manager Dessie, made just shy of 140 appearances in a 13-year senior career with the Lake County. His final appearance came in last Saturday's defeat to Derry which ended Westmeath's involvement in this year's All-Ireland SFC.

Dolan will be remembered as a brilliant attacking half back who scored 18 goals during his inter-county career. He played in two Leinster SFC finals against an all-conquering Dublin team in 2015 and '16, and won Tailteann Cup (2022) and Allianz League Division 3 (2024) honours in more recent times. With Garrycastle, he has won five county SFC medals and played in the 2012 All-Ireland Club SFC final which the Athlone-based club lost to Crossmaglen after a replay.

Westmeath fans are hoping that other long-serving stars such as Kevin Maguire, John Heslin and Kieran Martin, who Dolan soldiered alongside since their U21 days, won't follow him into retirement over the coming weeks and months.