Ray Connellan: Gaelic football's chasing pack has caught leaders

Since Westmeath beat Dublin in the Leinster final, Connellan believes the Dubs have improved their ability to win breaking ball

Westmeath footballer Ray Connellan: “It is exciting from that point of view to know you are potentially not that far away from quarter-final or semi-final territory." Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

Westmeath footballer Ray Connellan was one of many spectators watching the thrilling action last weekend and thinking, 'it could have been us'.

The Leinster champions were eliminated from the championship by Monaghan in Round 3. Speaking on the Irish Examiner’s Gaelic Football Show, midfielder Connellan admitted that despite a remarkable season, they knew they were close to going even further.

“We definitely could have,” he said.

“Probably that was the sentiment across the board from all of the players and management this weekend. We could have been there and from looking at the game, could have been very competitive if the draw had fallen the same way it did, for us, had we been there instead of Monaghan, we absolutely could have been competitive.

“It is exciting from that point of view to know you are potentially not that far away from quarter-final or semi-final territory, but I would say there are a lot of counties in the country that are thinking the exact same thing. The standard has improved.

“The chasing pack has caught up with the leaders. I think there are a lot of counties getting excited about how close they are to provincials and beyond. Shame we weren’t there, though.” 

In a rollercoaster championship, some teams have found real form while shocks always seem possible. Connellan starred for his county as they defeated Dublin in the Leinster final at Croke Park. Since then, he has watched them improve in a couple of key areas. One of the main ones is winning the breaking ball.

“It is not necessarily hunger, but it is 100% part of a game plan,” said Connellan.

“I think Evan Comerford referenced it at the end of the game. I’m not saying Westmeath taught them such a lesson that they had to go and have a look at themselves, but he did say after the Leinster final and probably after their league and championship until then, that they did have a look at themselves. I would say that is one of the things that they looked at.

“When there was a ball there to be won, the key guys that were doing that dirty work were Kilkenny, Howard, Scully. They have enough All-Irelands that they could retire and be legends 10 times over. But I’d say they were looking at the rest of the group. ‘Why aren’t you going and putting your head on that ball?’ 

"I think there has been a fair internal reflection on themselves and it has been a massive turnaround. Look, it does help to have the players that’ve come back in. You think of the Leinster final, Basquel, Gannon and Con, look at how they are playing now.”