Westmeath duo delighted with league win

Revenge was particularly sweet for Westmeath last night as they added the NFL Division 2 title to their promotion by beating Dublin at the third attempt this season.

Westmeath lost to Dublin in the O'Byrne Cup and the group stage of the National League and with their last victory over Dublin in the 2004 Leinster championship, on the way to a historic first provincial success, there was double significance in this win.

However, a modest Tomas O'Flatharta, the Westmeath manager, was keen to play down his role in this historic success.

"It's not because of me (that we won tonight) but it's because of a strong team performance," O'Flatharta said after the game.

"We wanted to improve the team over the course of the league and that's what happened.

"This win was important, but it will be more important in a fortnight's time."

Although the result secured his first silverware as Westmeath boss, O'Flatharta was not getting carried away with the victory and stressed that both he and his players will have to keep focussed for their Leinster championship opener against local rivals Longford on May 11.

"The backs are playing well and the forwards too. We are playing well as a team and there is a good spirit among the team but we have to follow on from this now," he said.

"It's an important win for the people of Westmeath but we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground."

Although the likes of Fergal Wilson, Dermot Bannon and Martin Flanagan gave strong displays, O'Flatharta was not keen to single out particular players and he praised the commitment of his squad during this game.

"It was a bonus game for us for the championship and it was touch and go all the way.

"In fairness we dominated for most of the game and there was a great urgency and hunger about our players also."

Man-of-the-match Dermot Bannon kicked three vital points including two before the interval, but afterwards he shunned the plaudits and praised the team's overall performance.

"It was a good win. We knew it would be tough but we dug deep and it was a team effort.

"It was good clean game, Dublin came to play football and we are just happy to get the win."

Longford beat Westmeath in the opening round of last year's Leinster championship at Pearse Park, and like his manager, Bannon is already turning his attention to the next installment of the midlands derby.

He admitted: "This is just preparation for the Longford match and we are hoping to build on this performance for that game."