Manager Bealin hopeful Westmeath will stay the course against Dublin

Westmeath manager Paul Bealin is optimistic his outfit will stay the course against All-Ireland champions Dublin on Sunday.

Westmeath’s return to the league’s top tier was marked by an eight-point defeat to Cork last weekend and Bealin was disappointed by the manner in which his side faded from the contest in the final quarter. The interval scoreline was tied at 0-5 apiece, but Cork killed the game with nine consecutive points to Westmeath’s one at the change of ends.

Dublin travel to Mullingar for the second round of league fixtures and while accepting a result will be difficult to garner, the Lake County manager is hopeful his outfit will be competitive over the 70 minutes.