Connellan quietly confident

WITH Westmeath"s senior team currently in the midst of a relegation battle in the National Football League, many Lake County supporters are pinning their hopes of silverware this year on the county"s under-21 side. However, such hopes and aspirations will be put sternly to the test this weekend when Westmeath travel to Parnell Park to take on Dublin in the Cadbury"s Leinster Under-21 Football Championship semi-final. So far in this year"s under-21 championship, Westmeath have comfortably disposed of both Offaly and minnows Kilkenny. But it doesn"t take a genius to predict a much tougher assignment for Westmeath this coming Saturday at Parnell Park (throw-in: 2pm). Westmeath and Athlone forward John Connellan - who has amassed a scoring tally of 1-11 in the championship campaign thus far - is quick to acknowledge this, but says Westmeath will head for the capital city in confident mood. Speaking ahead of the weekend clash, 20-year-old Connellan said: 'It"s always a very difficult test going to Dublin for a championship match and it will be no different this weekend. Dublin had a very good win over a fine Meath side in the quarter-final. They also have a few players coming back into the squad for this match, the players from Kilmacud Crokes, and they will give Dublin an extra boost, too. 'I think Dublin have to be big favourites and we have it all to do. But we"ve been doing quite well and training has been good, so we"ll be confident of giving it a right good go on Saturday. If we"re going to beat teams like Dublin then why not do it on their home turf? We have a very strong panel this year and a few of our recent in-house challenge matches have been very competitive. We are preparing in the best possible manner and I feel we"ve a very good chance on Saturday.' Among the Kilmacud Crokes players to return to Dublin"s under-21 panel for this weekend"s match is team captain Cian O"Sullivan. Kilmacud Crokes, of course, contested the All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship final on St Patrick"s Day (yesterday). Also included in a strong Dublin side is Dean Rock, son of former Dublin star and Westmeath senior team manager, Barney Rock. After a couple of straightforward victories over Offaly and Kilkenny, Saturday"s game is viewed by most as a major step-up in quality for Westmeath, and the away side will need to be at their very best to continue the quest for silverware. Connellan said: 'I think Westmeath is crying out for a bit of success at underage level. There hasn"t been much to shout about since the minor and under-21 Leinster double in 2000. But I don"t think you can say the under-21s are a better bet than the senior side to win silverware. People have to understand the seniors have a chronic injury list at the moment and things will come right for them. 'The under-21s need to concentrate on each game as it comes. I wouldn"t dream about anything after Dublin. Everyone in the panel is consumed with the Dublin match at the moment and we"ll be doing everything to overcome them.' Prior to beating Meath in the quarter-final, Dublin defeated Louth in the opening round of this year"s competition. Westmeath"s inside-forward line of Connellan, Brendan Kelly (Castledaly) and Thomas McDaniel will be central to their hopes of winning this weekend, but Connellan is keen to highlight the importance of his team-mates. 'I"m very happy to have got a few points on the board against Offaly and Kilkenny, but the provision of good early ball and quality ball from deeper has made it easy for me. The hard work was done further out the field. I"ll just continue working on my team-play and work-rate. I don"t think people fully appreciate Thomas McDaniel, though, his movement is excellent,' said the Coosan man. Westmeath will also be looking towards the likes of senior full-back Kieran Gavin, Niall Kilcoyne, Conor Lynam, Conrad Reilly and Andrew Whitney for inspiration on Saturday. For those attending Saturday"s game, extra-time will be played if the game finishes a draw. Westmeath last won the Leinster U-21 championship in 2000 when they beat Meath in the decider at Tullamore. The current holders Kildare were due to meet Laois in the other semi-final on St Patrick"s Day in Portlaoise, while this year"s final is pencilled in for April 5.