Banty targets title
Footballers ready for Croker re-match
NEVER MIND the skinning of two weeks ago, Wexford will be a different proposition for Westmeath when the sides clash in the Allianz Football League Division 4 final at Croke Park on Saturday (3 p.m.).
Having lost their final two games, but already with promotion to Division 3 secure, Wexford will still not be daring to dream of a coveted league title, as in Westmeath they are meeting a side which has lost the last two provincial finals to Dublin.
Wexford will be hoping for a win but in Westmeath they are meeting a team in splendid form at the moment, having dominated the division following their opening round draw with Carlow, which was the only blemish on their record to date.
‘We have a 32-man squad and everyone is fit and fighting for a place,’ manager Seamus McEnaney said. ‘It’s a tribute to our medical team that each and every player is available and putting their hands up for selection.
‘But having said that I don’t expect many changes from the earlier league games. Some players have put their hands up for selection but I don’t envisage much change in personnel.
‘Westmeath have been head and shoulders above teams in this division. They are an exceptional side, unlucky that Dublin have been in Leinster to deny them a provincial title.
‘It’s fair to say they have been the second best team in Leinster over the past two seasons, as they play a quality brand of fast, open football, attacking from deep having got players behind the ball.
‘They are a difficult side to score against but that’s our real challenge.
‘They also have quality in attack particularly in John Heslin. He is the top scorer in the league despite not playing in the final game,’ he said.
‘Apart from man-marking the full-forward it will be our job to stifle the supply line into him.
‘We will be the underdogs going into this game. Like the hurlers, who had a fantastic victory over Kilkenny, we will be hoping to offer supporters a repeat.
‘Westmeath will be confident of finishing with a win, but we are going in there to win this game. With the full squad available we have the players to deliver a big performance.’
Wexford will not announce their team until later in the week.