Westmeath boss Hanley’s bold moves paying off

This was a big win for Galway in Mullingar yesterday, an expected win with 10 points to spare, and yet when it was all over it was probably Westmeath manager Brian Hanley who would have felt most pleased.

At the end of last year Brian, an Athenry man, made a very bold decision to consider only those who would give absolute commitment to the Westmeath cause. No dual players, no hurler — no matter how talented — who couldn’t or wouldn’t make every training session.

In a dual county where football is the dominant code, it was a brave call. It’s paying off though. Already Westmeath have taken care of Antrim in the Leinster championship. Now they’ve scored 4-12 against Galway and did so with a team featuring a plethora of youngsters, not least minor star Niall O’Brien who finished the day with 2-7.