Westmeath fans are breathing a massive sigh of relief after scans revealed that stalwart midfielder Martin Flanagan hasn't suffered a cruciate ligament tear. According to county board sources, however, the injury could still be serious enough to force him to miss the Lake County's Leinster SFC semi-final against Dublin on June 29. The Tyrrellspass clubman, who has been Westmeath's outstanding performer this year, was forced to retire at half-time in Saturday's win over Offaly at Tullamore after landing awkwardly as he put in a challenge on Offaly's Thomas Deehan. It was immediately feared that he had ruptured his cruciate ligament - an injury which usually takes up to nine months to recover from and would almost certainly have ended Flanagan's long career in the maroon and white jersey. But the 32-year-old received good news on Monday and will now endeavour to win the Leinster medal which he missed out on in 2004 when he was controversially omitted from Paidi O Se's squad. Meanwhile, Westmeath manager Tomas O Flatharta's request to have next weekend's scheduled senior and intermediate football championship games postponed so that his team can prepare for the Dublin game without any distraction has been granted. Tweet

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