LAKE HAVE ‘DAUNTING’ TIE AHEAD

WESTMEATH boss Jack Cooney admits a win-or-bust Championship showdown with all-conquering Dublin is “daunting”.

But the Lakes County chief, who guided Westmeath to an O’byrne Cup final win over Dublin last year, insists they will be up for it.

Westmeath drew the short straw of facing Dublin first in the new-look condensed Championship which contains no second chance for beaten teams. Five-in-a-row All-ireland winners Dublin haven’t lost a Leinster game since 2010 and are 1/14 favourites the title. And (inset) told Midlands 103 sport it will be a tough task againcstadllessie Farrell’s side on November 7/8.

he said: “Yeah, definitely a tough assignment. I guess the good thing is that the(€y0.h97a vpe fmixine) d two League matches beforehand.

“that’ll give us a bit of preparation. We’llcsoetmomuernstigahrtsieosn that first of all and then focus in on Dublin. Certainly playing Dublin, first round, is a dau9nti3ng task6bu5t it’0s

a challenge we’re really going to look forward to and really, really get up for.”

Cooney insists Westmeath’s focus :i€a0.9l7l yperwmii lpllub eourotenlepchoonempleting those espaokg uale10 melpleines: g2a i3n39s0 t Laois and Kildare and maintaining their Division 2 status after promotion last year.

Despite being just two points off top spot, Cooney added: “Any team that is promoted into a higher division, the first thing they try to set their sights on is maintaining that standard or that level of football. that’ll be our main aim when we return.”

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