John Mitchell described the prospect of last week's game against Roscommon and akin to crossing the 'Alamo' and having qualified for the quarter-finals on the strength of that commanding effort, he now gets the opportunity expected of meeting the strongest team in the league, Westmeath in what he hopes will be a dry run for the eventual Christy Ring Cup final later on. If Wicklow win on Saturday it will give them a better placing for the quarter-finals but the manager would gladly lose, learn plenty from it and put that lesson into action in the final. Confidence will have been enhanced by the professional and diligent nature of the victory in Athleague. Kildare might secure their passage this week-end and other candidates for advancement include Kerry, Mayo, Meath, Derry and Armagh who will be fighting it out to join Wicklow and Westmeath. Tweet

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