Dempsey’s heroes back from depths of despair

LUKE DEMPSEY is wearing shades as he holds court with reporters. It’s not known whether this has to do with Westmeath footballers rediscovering their bright future in Croke Park yesterday.

Two years ago, Westmeath put Cork to the sword at the same venue to claim a Division two title and went on to be the poster-boys of the summer. Only inexperience twice denied them victory over Meath. Dempsey isn’t making any rash predictions yet, but the smile plastered across his face told its own story.

Absolutely delighted,” Dempsey gushed. “Last year was a foul and despairing year for us. We started off with six defeats to Premier counties in Division one and that dented the team’s confidence. The players themselves were down when we went into the championship and it showed when Fermanagh gave us a drubbing in Mullingar.”