Dolan happy with impact from bench after opening round win in Offaly

Dessie Dolan has enjoyed some memorable days against Offaly over the years. The Leinster quarter-final victory in June of 2008, when he scored 1-4 on the day his brother Gary got married, springs to mind.

The summer seemed a long way off on an overcast, drizzly and windy day in Tullamore last Sunday. But the Westmeath manager was justifiably pleased to get off to a winning start in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League.

“I am happy; it’s all about the result. You forget it’s the 28th of January as games are now so important at this time of year.

“It was a decent performance in patches and then there are areas that we have to improve on and we know that. But it’s always nice to come to Tullamore and get a win,” said Dolan afterwards, gathering his thoughts in the windswept tunnel close to the dressing rooms.

“I think the subs that we brought in all made a great difference and that’s where we are trying to get to - we’re trying build a squad of players that when we introduce lads, they’ll make a difference. I think today they gave us a much needed lift because our option-taking just after half-time was poor.

“It kind of fuelled them (Offaly) and they got a couple of scores that were bringing them back into it but then the subs relieved it. And fair play to James (Dolan) he came up and got a vital score then as well,” he continued.

With Sam Duncan abroad this year, Dolan was naturally delighted with Ray Connellan’s excellent display at midfield. Connellan was ably assisted by Jonathan Lynam, who made a vital fetch in the closing moments.

“Sam Duncan is obviously a big loss, he’s gone to Australia. Ray is a powerful player to be fair to him and Johnny Lynam and Andy McCormack also did very well. They are good ball winners. Kickouts are always something that you’re working on and you need a big man around the middle for the long ones as well,” Dolan said.

Dolan also provided an update on the players who weren’t available last Sunday.

“Kevin (Maguire) got a knock to his eye, he went to a specialist and just wasn’t available to play. John (Heslin) is injured as well; it will be a couple of weeks with John and Jack Smith as well. There are a few lads that we’d like to get back in as quick as we can, but we have to listen to the medical team.”

Despite some speculation to the contrary beforehand, Heslin was in Glenisk O’Connor Park last Sunday but he wasn’t part of the match-day panel.

“John is a vital player and he adds so much,” said Dolan.

“It was great to have him around the place; he adds so much experience and know-how. He was in advising the lads at half-time. I actually said to him that I can’t remember him not playing a game for Westmeath. He’s such a good servant and we need him back.”

Westmeath will probably need to win the Division 3 title to secure Sam Maguire Cup football through the league, but Dolan wasn’t prepared to look that far ahead. “They would be good problems (to have),” he quipped with a smile when asked about the Division 3 final being fixed for very close to the start of the Leinster championship.

“For teams in Division 3, the league is obviously so important and you have to have that mentality. It’s the 28th of January but it feels like it’s a very important game. My mindset 20 years ago might have been you can build your way into the league. You see with the top teams, it’s now very competitive from the start.

“Watching the games last night, it’s a high level very quickly and fitness levels are through the roof. Last year we lost against Cavan in the first game and it set us back and we lost a lot of momentum.”

A number of fringe players, such as Conor Dillon and Eoin Mulvihill, boosted their chances of involvement in future games with their showings last Sunday.

“There were a couple of lads left behind today and they were in the gym this morning.

“Conor Dillon has been there for a while. Being an inter-county footballer now, you don’t just rock up and play. Conor had to serve a sort of apprenticeship, Andy McCormack the same. County football has changed drastically in that you now have to get so fit and strong,” Dolan added.