Rohan the inspiration for Westmeath resurgence

Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan has credited double Paralympic gold medallist Mark Rohan with inspiring the team’s unlikely Allianz FL Division 2 form.

Having already secured promotion after just six games, Westmeath will attempt to cap a successful, if unexpected, campaign by beating Derry in the Division 2 final.

The top form is in contrast to 12 months ago when they required a final round win, ironically over Derry, to avoid finishing joint bottom of the table.

The return of former All Stars Gary Connaughton and Dessie Dolan after spells off the panel was significant though Flanagan believes the close season addition of Rohan to their backroom team was decisive. He revealed that Rohan, a former Westmeath U21 player before a motorbike accident in 2001 left him paralysed from the chest down, set the bar early on about the level of dedication required from panellists.

“I met Mark last November or October with a view to maybe giving a talk or two,” revealed Flanagan. “I was about two minutes into our conversation when I realised that he had a lot more to offer Westmeath.

“He’s one of those guys that it’s just a pleasure to be around. He arrived [to speak to the players], no airs or graces. He brought his two medals but he said at that first meeting, it wasn’t to highlight what he’d achieved but to highlight what could be achieved.

“I think that really set the bar for the year because every player was amazed by his speech. Everyone was amazed by the direction he gave them and each and every one of them has bought into it since.

“We always go back to the very first day we met Mark, what he said and what was taken from that meeting. I think we’re living off that and I think it’s been invaluable what he offers the panel.”

Rohan, who won his gold medals in last summer’s Paralympics in the H1 cycling classification, is currently training in Portugal so hasn’t been available for pre-final preparation.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back before championship to give us a lift before the Carlow match,” added Flanagan.

Presuming Westmeath overcome Division 4 outfit Carlow in that May 19 tie in Mullingar, they will face Dublin at Croke Park a fortnight later. So Flanagan is sure to return to the stand immediately after Sunday’s Division 2 final to take in the Dubs’ overall final clash with Tyrone.

“What you’d be hoping is that they’ve expended all their energy in the League but I don’t think that’s going to be the case,” said Flanagan. “Everyone has to have aspirations and we believe, if we can get over Carlow, that we can come up to Croke Park and beat Dublin.

“From the beginning of the year I have said that we can get out of Division 2, if we believe and play to the level that’s needed. That was our goal and no-one would have given us a chance. We were prime candidates for relegation to Division 3 last year and again this year. But when you have a group of guys that work extremely hard, perform to their ability and have that self belief, then they can beat anyone they are playing. The sky is the limit.”