We left it too late, says Flanagan

GUTTED Westmeath boss Pat Flanagan felt his side only played to their potential in the final quarter of yesterday’s Leinster SFC semi-final defeat to Louth.

He said: “It was only in the last 15 minutes that we really put our game together.”

But by then the damage was done. “We gave away too much ball in the first half, and we didn’t keep enough possession. We were penalised big-time.”

Flanagan also rued the fact that his side failed to up the gears after Martin Flanagan’s goal and Denis Glennon’s point left just one score between the sides coming down the home stretch.

“We were going forward just after that, but unfortunately another ball was robbed, and a point was scored at the other end of the field, and that happened far too often.

“We couldn’t have brought on Martin Flanagan any earlier (52 minutes) because he hasn’t been able to train since the Wicklow game, and he only went for a run on Tuesday night.

“It was a similar situation with John Keane (introduced on 45 minutes), as he twisted his ankle and was unable to play in a recent challenge against Limerick.”

Another blow for the Midlanders was that wing-forward Derek Heavin had to be stretchered off the field after just 22 minutes.

“Derek was a big loss to us,” agreed Flanagan. “He was winning a lot of ball for us, and he is the kind of player who can drive a team forward. He has a serious knee injury, and it looks as if he will be out of the qualifiers’ game in a fortnight.”

Asked his opinion of Louth, Flanagan said: “They’ve certainly clocked up big scores in their last two games, and they’re very difficult to break down. They were really superb at the back today.”