TOMÁS Ó FLATHARTA SAYS no team is unbeatable and he should know.
In 2004 Ó Flatharta was a selector with Páidí Ó Sé when Westmeath won their first ever Leinster senior title, beating Dublin along the way.
Since then the Dubs have only been beaten once in the Leinster championship, winning eight of the next nine titles.
“In the first 15 minutes they steamrolled over us and they were kicking points for fun at the beginning,” explained the now Laois boss.
“We made a few changes in the back line and bit by bit, coming up towards half-time, the game was changing a bit and we were two points down going in at half-time and we just knew at that stage that we would get the better of them going in at half-time.
“I think it was just sheer character and work rate that got us through that day.”
The 2004 victory was Westmeath’s first over Dublin since 1967, and after trailing for the entire opening 45 minutes the Lake county turned things around to win 0-14 to 0-12.
“Well I suppose the Dublin supporters, they’re fantastic. They bring an awful lot to Croke Park and the create a great atmosphere there. Obviously I’m sure that any supporters would be the same way if their team were winning, they get very quiet. When the Dubs get going the supporters get going as well.
“I don’t look at the mental side of Dublin and how they prepared for that game, I don’t know. It’s a good bit away from us. Looking back on it, it was a good performance by Westmeath that day. Unfortunately we didn’t get over the line on it.”
Like Meath in 2010, Westmeath followed up on their victory over the Dubs by going on to Leinster glory.
“(Dublin) have proven over the last few years in winning all of the time, but as I said no team is unbeatable. We go into every game with a positive attitude and with a view of winning the game and that’s how we’ll approach this year as well.”
Ó Flatherta took over the reins in Westmeath from 2005 to 2009, and in 2008 his team ran Dublin to within two points.
“That game that year, I think it was very, very close up to the very end. We had a few scoring opportunities at the end but we didn’t take them unfortunately. But it was a good contest that day but they pulled away towards the end.
“Well when Páidí rang I had no thoughts of becoming involved in inter-county teams or anything at all and it all just happened. I was with Paidi for two years. It was a fantastic two years with Paidi, very memorable and then when Paidi finished Westmeath he asked me would I take the thing on board.
“With this one as well (the Laois job) I just got a call late last year, would I get involved here, and that’s the way it happened.”
Despite their dominance in Leinster, it was not until 2011 that Dublin would replicate their form in the All-Ireland series. Have Dublin mentally toughened up since the early 2000s?
“I don’t know really. I don’t look at the mental side of Dublin and how they prepared for that game, I don’t know. It’s a good bit away from us. Looking back on it (in 2008), it was a good performance by Westmeath that day. Unfortunately we didn’t get over the line on it.
“The Wicklow win in a few ways was good, the performance was satisfactory and it was good to get the win. It was good because it was the first game Laois have won in Leinster in three years. Also, a number of lads made their debut and did fairly well and we have some high scorers and the discipline was good. There were a number of pleasing aspects.”
