Search Results for 'Damien Healy'

For the Kerrys, Dublins, and Tyrones of this world success is measured in all-Ireland titles. Provincial honours are little more than a stepping stone to greater things. It is hard to explain to somebody from the counties mentioned above exactly how much winning a first ever senior provincial title meant to the players and people of the Lake County.

The question on everybody’s lips ahead of this weekend’s showdown is whether or not Tomas O’Flatharta’s men can rise to the challenge and lower the mighty Dubs. Croke Park is the venue, with a 4pm throw-in for the Leinster semi-final clash. At stake is a place in the Leinster final against the winner of Kildare and Laois, and a crack at winning a second-ever Leinster title.

Both Westmeath and Roscommon Gaelic footballers return to action this weekend in the All-Ireland qualifiers eager to forget their last 70 minutes of championship action. Roscommon and Westmeath are in very similar situations with both teams suffering heavy defeats in their respective provincial semi-finals and having just two weeks to regroup and try to focus on the qualifiers. On Saturday afternoon Roscommon head for the sunny south east to take on Wexford after their 20 point defeat to Mayo, while later that evening Westmeath entertain old rivals Meath in Cusack Park in a bid to get back on the road again after their 27 point defeat to Dublin. Westmeath started out their campaign this year against Meath in early January in the O’Byrne cup. The question is come Saturday evening will Meath be Westmeath’s first and last game of 2009? Both Westmeath players and management have taken some criticism over the last few weeks. There have been many excuses given for the poor performance against Dublin - poor league campaign, constant injury crisis, and the lack of match fitness and sharpness by a number of the 15 that took the field against Dublin.

The writing was on the wall for quite some time now, but last weekend’s home defeat to Donegal confirmed Westmeath’s return to division two of the National Football League for 2010. Meanwhile a disappointing defeat to Carlow last weekend means that our hurlers face an uphill battle to remain in division two, with two games remaining.

With both club and county championships up and running for the past few weeks, it is an opportune time to cast an eye over the likely winners and losers for the year ahead. Whether you like a small flutter or just a fantasy bet, here are my predictions, for what they’re worth. It’s worth bearing in mind that I’ll probably put the blight on my chosen teams.

The long wait is over. Championship football is upon us. After a dismal league campaign, Tomas O’Flatharta’s men will be hoping to give their faithful supporters something to cheer about come Sunday evening. O’Connor Park Tullamore, a happy hunting ground for Westmeath over the past decade, is the venue for the Leinster quarter-final clash with Wicklow with a 2pm throw-in.

Dublin 4-26