By Damien Maher
Westmeath are fully focused on producing a big display against Tipperary in what is a crucial National Football League game next Sunday at TEG Cusack Park.
There is genuine concern among Westmeath supporters following defeats by Kildare and Sligo, results that leave the Lake County in danger of a third relegation in as many years. However, manager Tom Cribbin said he has every confidence that his players will produce a massive display when they host the Premier County next Sunday.
“I think you will see a big performance from Westmeath,” Cribbin enthused ahead of what is a vital game for his side. “We have put in good work since the Sligo defeat, held a few meetings and talked about our performance. The players were off last weekend, some of them with their clubs, others on Sigerson Cup duty, and we now have a very busy seven weeks, starting with the Tipperary game,” he added.
Following defeats by Kildare and Sligo, Westmeath are bottom of Division 3 and another negative result next Sunday will put them under serious pressure. The prospect of division four football is not a scenario anyone in Westmeath GAA wants to contemplate, but with games against the likes of Limerick, Offaly and Longford still ahead, the pressure has been cranked up.
“We’re not looking at that. Four wins and a draw could even get you promotion, such is the tightness of this division. All the teams are capable of taking points off each other. Last year we thought we were in a great position with those early results, but look what happened,” remarked Cribbin.
“Now we have to believe in ourselves and produce the performances that will turn this around. I know what the players are capable of,” he added.
UPBEAT MOOD
The mood in the camp is certainly upbeat and Cribbin is also taking the positives from the display of John Heslin in last Saturday’s Sigerson Cup final, where he scored six points and produced a man of the match display as UCD defeated DCU. Killian Daly was a member of the losing DCU side.
“It was great to see the two players performing so well and obviously I’m delighted for John Heslin that he has won a Sigerson Cup title in what could be his final year at that level. It’s a real positive story for him personally, for his club and of course for Westmeath,” remarked Cribbin.
Westmeath’s season has got off to stuttering start and while Cribbin acknowledged the performance against Kildare was workmanlike, he was extremely disappointed with the poor display in Sligo. Tipperary will come to Mullingar, boosted by the return of the Clonmel Commercials contingent and they occupy a prominent position in Division 3, with a win (versus Clare) and a draw (against Limerick).
The manager is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
“There are five massive games ahead and we need to win them all, starting on Sunday. The early results have put us under pressure and every game is now a championship game for Westmeath. We have to focus,” he said.
Renowned for his straight talking, Cribbin publicly criticised the players last year and they subsequently went on to beat Meath in the championship for the first time ever. He feels that it’s time to move on from that feat and make further impressions this season.
“In fairness, everyone in Westmeath has been living off that Meath win and treating the players like heroes. A lot of these players are still very young and have a lot to learn. There is a determination to achieve bigger things and I believe we will with this group,” he said. Cribbin has fronted up and accepted responsibility for the Kildare loss, while he feels the players were naive against Sligo.
“We didn’t shore up the defence in the second half against Kildare when we should have and it was the sideline’s fault. And against Sligo, the players thought they had the hard work done at half-time. They had finished the first half very strongly and were just a point adrift at the break. We will learn from those experiences and you will see a different Westmeath on Sunday,” he declared.
