Keaney: Momentum is with Westmeath

Dublin forward Conal Keaney believes the momentum for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final clash at Croke Park is well and truly with Westmeath.

The Dubs' top scorer was evidently impressed with the midlanders when they accounted for Galway in the last of their four qualifier wins.

Speaking at the launch of the GAA/VHI Cúl camp at Belfast's Lamh Dhearg club, Keaney said: "I wasn't surprised (when Westmeath beat Galway). I watched the game and Westmeath were tremendous that day. Not only in that match, but they were tremendous against Sligo as well.

"They had two huge results which is massive (for them) while we were just training. There's nothing that beats matches, so the momentum is definitely with them.”

Dublin have not played since their Leinster final victory over Offaly on July 16, however bookmakers still have them as odds-on favourites for the headquarters' tie.

Historically, Westmeath have struggled to contain the men from the capital, beating them only three times - the last being 2004's Leinster quarter-final - in 12 championship meetings.

Paul Caffrey's Dublin side have certainly been impressive in retaining their Leinster title with Keaney tallying up 0-17 (9f) in their three games to date, but the former dual star, who has concentrated on football for the past two seasons, was quick to play down the hype surrounding the boys in blue.

Asked how he deals with the added pressure, Keaney said: "You can watch all the programmes and read all the papers to see all the hype, or you can keep the head down and concentrate on your own work that you have to do and your own game and then it is easy enough.

"There is always a bit of pressure in every county though so I don't think that Dublin are any different.

"We're doing well - it's so far, so good. One of our goals this year was to retain the Leinster title and we did that," added the 24-year-old.

"Now we are on the next step up, it's a big game for us at the weekend and hopefully we can get the right result.”