Westmeath heroes of 2004 celebrate

Some of the Westmeath Delaney Cup heroes of 2004 met up informally on Wednesday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that historic win.

Westmeath defeated Laois on July 24, 2004 at Croke Park in the Leinster senior football final replay. A 0-12 to 0-10 victory ended 120 years of hurt and brought Leinster glory to the county at senior level for the very first time.

The significance of the 2004 victory cannot be understated and the talented Westmeath team, under the stewardship of legendary Kerry man Páidí Ó Sé, won the admiration of the nation with their gritty display, never-say-die attitude, skill and class. The scenes at Croke Park were simply incredible: when the gates around the famous stadium were opened and fans poured onto the hollowed turf, it was like a happy release.

Dreams were finally realised on that great day. There was a sense of liberation and the celebrations that followed certainly reflected that. This week we salute our 2004 heroes and perhaps it's fitting to leave the final words to the late Páidí Ó Sé, sadly no longer with us.

"They're tough men in Westmeath I'll tell you!"

Westmeath team & scorers from the 2004 replay vs Laois: Gary Connaughton; John Keane, James Davitt, Damien Healy; Michael Ennis (0-1), Donal O'Donoghue, Derek Heavin; Rory O'Connell, David O'Shaughnessy; Brian Morley (0-1), Paul Conway, Fergal Wilson (0-1f); Alan Mangan (0-4), Denis Glennon (0-2), Dessie Dolan (0-3). Subs used: Joe Fallon; Gary Dolan; Shane Colleary.