Kieran Martin: Tom Cribbin’s angry words brought best out of Westmeath

A cool head from Kieran Martin produced the goal that sent Westmeath into Sunday’s Leinster semi-final against Meath, but it could be a huge moment in the managerial career of Tom Cribbin.

Cribbin’s passionate lashing of some Westmeath squad members after their relegation to Division 3 earlier this year certainly appears to have had the desired effect, and with two championship wins to their name since, who can argue with his tactics?

And Martin (25) admitted a rollicking was required to raise expectations in the squad, but with their confidence soaring again, he’s eyeing a first Leinster final appearance since 2004.

“Everyone needs to be called out now and again. Lads probably thought they were doing enough but you can never do enough,” said the Maryland club man.

“It is harder to get out of a losing streak than lose a winning streak, but once you get winning, it is hard to stop. You have more belief, lads are pushing on.

“The thing in Westmeath, a lot of lads are afraid to express themselves. When we were on top, lads like Paul Sharry and John Gilligan scored unbelievable points. If it was one of the top teams, they would be showing it on The Sunday Game three or four times.

“People want to come in and see that kind of football, lads expressing themselves. Because there is that talent here with the lads in Westmeath and we are trying to show our best and we can do it if we want to.”

The debate rages as to whether Kieran Martin is a centre-back or corner-forward, but if he keeps rattling in the goals, he’ll be playing with the big numbers on his back.

This Sunday he’ll probably wear the No 13 again, but there will be plenty of sweeping and defensive duties on his to do list. All he wants is to be in with a shot with 10 minutes to go.

“Everyone wants to be playing in Croke Park and to be playing Meath is a huge challenge.

“We don’t know what Meath are going to bring, so we just have to focus on what we have to do and we can do with 100% as best as we can focus on that.

“On the day anything can happen — we could have had three goals in the first half against Wexford. If one of them went in, the whole game could have been changed around.

“In reality it is all a bounce in the ball at the end of the day. Once we are in there with a chance near the end, you never know what can happen,” said Martin.