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I went in with two others and we all got our stubs back. I have never had mine retained at any ground previously.

I thought the first half was terrible stuff.  Both sides very nervous, due to the stakes being so high, with numerous blunders, unforced errors and some terrible shooting, especially from Offaly. Things improved considerably in the second half, especially after the sending off.  WH had begun to find their rhythm by then anyway and Dolan was beginning to come deep and was running the show.  The red card incident took place just beneath where we sat in the stand and my initial reaction was that he was going to walk. It looked very clumsy and a little late, with a large dollop of frustration added. It didn't look any better on TV. 

I was impressed by the intelligent running of our forwards at this stage with Willo especially prominent.  Our half backs were also much in evidence in the final third with Natchie and Healy covering massive ground.  We are quite defensive minded but the pace in our half back line means that we can also attack in waves when the opportunity presents itself.  I agree with the poster above who is happy to see us win even if we are not always the most attractive to watch.  I remember cavalier football under Luke which got rave reviews in the press and ultimately foundered when we met astute and well drilled opponents.

Tomas obviously had a word with Denis at half time and told him to act a little quicker and it was good to see him heavily involved in both goals. He's better than he displayed on Saturday. His old failing returned when he blasted the ball when one on one rather than placing it in the same fashion as Dessie did.

This was a vintage Dolan show.  The two points off either foot early in the second half oozed confidence and technique.  The game was finely balanced, others had neither confidence nor ability to take the shot from difficult angles and he just turned up and executed the scores in brilliant style. This was where the game turned.  The two frees in the first half were also superb long range efforts.

I thought the crowd got on McManus' back a lot but I suppose this was always going to happen due to his willingness over the years to comment on border relations.

I would be quite optimistic that we can give a good account of ourselves in Croker although a lot will depend on the extent of Flan's injury.  Hopefully it's not as bad as initially feared because we will be a difficult team to beat if we have a full hand to play with.

There is a rumour circulating that he may have done his cruciate.  He would be a massive loss.  We are gathering momentum and he is back near his best.  It would be a terrible blow to lose him now.

Good man AZ, glad you haven't forgotten your roots and the old skirmishes with Daithí.  He'll be there alright.  Met him last week and while age has mellowed him I still think he'll be in full flow on the day.  He's busy these days without access to the board so we're spared his philosophical musings.  Real Deal is also still around. Responsible jobs and commitments have curtailed their exposure to forums such as this.

Speaking of Dermot Brady, I met him at the Longford game.  In great form but still smoking the bloody cigarettes.

Any quiet confidence I had previously has evaporated as the game approaches.  It will be a tight, untidy game which will be panned on the Sunday Game. Personally I'd settle for a one point win, even courtesy of a Morleyesque point.  When the draw was made this game would have been the limit of our ambition and a victory would represent a satisfactory season, regardless of what happens afterwards.  The satisfaction and bragging rights however from this particular match will be massive for the fans. 

We've never beaten the Biffs in their own backyard in the championship.  That record will go eventually, Saturday would be a nice time to put the record straight.

This is more than I expected at the start of the season.  This augurs well for the summer.  Great to see defence so sound. Any word on Dessie?

Lads this chat of a "soft" All Ireland is a bit wide of the mark.  Kerry are a seriously good side and just keep steamrolling all before them.  Maybe they win finals easily because of ability, commitment, mental approach and preparation. You can only beat whatever is before you and they continually do so.  Well done and good luck to them.

Well done to the hurlers.  Qualter certainly seems to be doing a good job. It's a pity we won't get another chance to play in the Leinster championship.  Great to see the lads getting the chance to lift a trophy in Croker.

AN OTHER You're right.  Meant the Delaney Cup.  Was thinking of Martin Flan at the time. Heals got the Intermediate Championship about twice I think (1995 and a few years ago too). It's at times like this as we see heroes retire that the full value of 2004's campaign emerges.  The one glaring pity was that Ger Heavin wasn't around at the time.

Heals and Connaughton were unlucky not to get All Stars but there was a limit to what we could get that year and Dessie and JK were the marquee names.

Congrats to Donegal.  Good side who played well at times.  They might be a little worried however at the length of time it took to put us away despite owning midfield. Healy was a massive loss and the goal came from a terrible error. If those two incidents didn't occur then things might have been a bit hairier for DL although you could never see us winning it.

Gary Connaughton - best goalkeeper in the country.  No question!

Time for a new manager. The last championship game we won was against Laois on July 24, 2004, all others have been back door.  Too many players not involved with county set-up.

Damian Healy - we won't see him again.  A wonderful footballer and a tremendous athlete.  He battled to the end and never knew when he was beaten.  One of the gang including Rory, Mitch, Gerry, Spanner, etc who dragged Westmeath football off it's knees.  He started off by losing two Leinster U21 finals but eventually finished up with a pair of Div 2 medals, a few Interprovincial medals and the Flanagan Cup to top it off. A Westmeath legend and a gentleman.  Thanks for the memories Heals.

I know it's a bit late but want to add my name to the list congratulating Longford.  I was abroad with another sporting group but saw the match on satellite.  I was sickened but have to give massive credit to Longford.  It was a personal triumph for Luke also and anyone who knows WH football will only wish that man well.

Longford deserved it and I hope you guys make an even bigger impact this year.  Maybe Luke will get the Leinster title he deserves to add to his list of underage All Irelands, Div 2 and Interprovincial titles.  Anything is possible in Leinster ... keep her lit!!

Tension building now!!  Not impressed with the Heavin thing.  I expect a tight game but hope Dessie can make the difference.  I'm worried about the Luke factor.  There is no doubt that '04 was 80% attributable to Dempsey and his ability to motivate a team that is behind him is second to none.

The bould Daithi is in fine fettle.  He has mellowed somewhat as marital bliss and Delaney '04 have served to soothe his path although the sight of the green, white and yellow can still stoke up the fire in the belly.  Increased responsibility at work and restricted web access have kept him from this forum although he occasionally mentions the no holds barred jousts that he used love getting involved in.

Great stuff boys,  I know Daithi would have a tear in his eye if he saw this!!!

I recall that ye feckers were in Div 4 in 1996/97 and it didn't do ye much harm then in the following few years.

Another good win today but I felt we were a little lack-lustre and seemed to make heavy weather of closing things out.  The lack of Flan was glaring as Gordon ruled supreme in the middle.  Great to see Keano reappear as young Gavin was tiring and coming under pressure.  Boyle continues to impress and Natchie and Derek were very solid especially when it came to carrying the ball out of defence.  Donal O'D was sound enough and I think that defensively we are coming together nicely, especially if Healy comes back into the half back line.
It was good to see Shaugho come in and I thought that he didn't look as heavy as he usually does this time of year.  He has work to do yet though.  Dessie must have covered every inch of the park.  The amount of tracking back he did was incredible as well as being our main playmaker and score taker.  Willo looks like he is in good shape again but Smyth still has not convinced me.  I would prefer Connellan or David Glennon there.  I thought Buddha lacked penetration yesterday.  Bannon scored a couple of great points and I am beginning to warm to him.  

Surely Tomas can do something about Denis in terms of shooting for goal.  His last point was sublime and he cut the Down defence apart but once again he blasted the ball from point blank range.  He gets a goal chance most games but always tries to tear the goals down with power.  This is a Flan tactic but doesn't seem to work for Denis.  Ger Heavin scored more goals for Westmeath down the years than the rest of the team put together and most of his were passed into the net or rolled into the corner.  He favoured the slick finish a la Canavan against Kerry in the final.  Denis needs to be coached in finishing from close range.  More composure when he sees the whites of the keepers eyes.  He is a little bit infuriating as he has massive ability and potential but seems to lack confidence if he starts badly.

It's starting to look like we could be in Div 1 next yearalthough Div 2 wouldn't be a disaster if results went against us.  I really don't expect anything from Armagh in the last game as they will be getting their act together by then.  Galway showed signs of a return to form yesterday and will be smarting after last years championship so that could be a tough one even if it is at home. The Louth and Kildare games will tell us where what Division we will operate out of next year.  Louth have improved exponentially in the last twelve months and will have no fear of us and the Kildare match will depend to some degree on limiting fouls within Doyles range and Keano keeping the shackles on him.  I would like to see Dessie being able to work closer to the opponents goals as he is still our most clinical finisher.