WESTMEATH’S NEW EMERGING side travel to Croke Park on Saturday night hoping to upset the odds against Dublin in their Leinster quarter-final.

And one member of their party can recall that victory clearly. Dessie Dolan remains the attacking figurehead of the Westmeath side and he was instrumental in their triumph on 6 June, 2004 by 0-14 to 0-12. Under the guidance of the late Páidí Ó Sé, Westmeath claimed a major scalp in a year that they secured a historic Leinster title win.

“I think there were 63,000 people at the game that day– big atmosphere. They were roasting us in the first 15 minutes and we couldn’t get a grip and they went four points up.

“Just gradually we got into the game and that’s something similar to what we need to do next day. That after 15 or 20 minutes we’re in the game and keep it as tight as much as we can. If it opens up and Dublin start scoring and shooting the lights out you’d be concerned.

“Westmeath teams hadn’t done anything up to that really in terms of beating Dublin so it was, probably the biggest win in my career since.  Dennis (Glennon), Gary (Connaughton) and myself (are all that’s left). A bit of a clearout I suppose, which is understandable.

“It’s important for the development of our team and all of those young lads that we put in a good performance the next day and set a marker down.”

Dubs Setback

On the other side that afternoon was Dublin’s Barry Cahill, who is recently retired from the game. That 2004 clash is not one he recalls fondly.

“I tried to forget it to be honest. It was coming off the back of a poor enough 2003 when Laois had beaten us in a Leinster semi-final. We had an average League campaign in 2004. I had done my cruciate knee injury the year before so that was my first day back.

“It wasn’t ideal going up against Dessie Dolan that day. We just didn’t play at all and going out of the Leinster in the first round was a strange experience.”

GAA nominated for European Union’s ‘citizens prize’

11 things to know about London’s Gaelic football heroes