Dempsey never doubted Westmeath

REGRETS, he’s had more than a few - and mainly at the hands of Meath. But the biggest disappointment for Luke Dempsey came when he wasn’t reappointed as Westmeath football manager last year.

Understandably, he experienced mixed emotions watching them come agonisingly close to beating holders Laois in the Leinster final last Sunday, yet, the overriding feeling was one of pride in their performance.

“I wanted to go back last year because I knew this was going to be the real crucial year for the team,’’ he explains. “John Keane was back from America; Dessie Dolan was finished in NUIG and after getting a job in Moate, which meant it was easier for him to train, while Donal Donoghue and Denis Glennon were coming on line as two excellent minor and U21 footballers. That’s the way it has materialised. Add in these lads to last year’s group and you have a really talented group. I wasn’t surprised by the achievement in getting to the final and absolutely delighted that they almost got there last Sunday. That was what we were all trying to do for them.’’