Can Westmeath maintain winning record in Division 2 finals?

 

With Westmeath taking on Derry in the Allianz Football League Division 2 final at Croke Park on Sunday, we take a look at Westmeath's previous appearances in Division 2 league deciders.

Westmeath have won all three of their previous Division 2 finals - in 2001 (against Cork), 2003 (Limerick) and 2008 (Dublin).

The 2001 and 2003 wins were under the management of Luke Dempsey, while Tomas Ó Flatharta was the manager for the 2008 final win over Dublin.

 

29/4/2001, Croke Park, Westmeath 3-11 Cork 2-13

Westmeath: C. Mullin, D. Murphy, D. Mitchell, F. Murray, D. Gavin, D. Healy, J. Keane, D. O’Shaughnessy (1-0), P. Conway (0-1), B. Morley, F. Wilson (0-3), M. Ennis, J. Fallon (0-2), D. Dolan (0-1), G. Heavin (2-2). Subs: D. Heavin (0-1) (for Keane), D. Hughes (for Gavin), M. Flanagan (0-1) (for Fallon), R. O’Connell (for Wilson).

Cork: K. O’Dwyer, J. Miskella, G. Canty, A. Lynch, M. O’Donovan, E. Sexton (0-1), M. Cronin, N. Murphy, M. O’Sullivan, M. Cronin*(1-0), C. O’Sullivan (0-3), A. Cronin, P. Clifford, C. Corkery (0-6), A. Dorgan (0-3). Subs: F. Murray (1-0) (for A. Cronin), B.G. O’Sullivan (for M. Cronin*), S. Óg Ó hAilpín (for O’Donovan), K. Daly (for Clifford), D. Kavanagh (for M. O’Sullivan).

 4/5/2003, Croke Park Westmeath 2-12 Limerick 1-14

Westmeath: A. Lennon, D. Heavin, D. Gavin, K. Henson, B. Morley, D. Healy, D. Kilmartin, R. O’Connell (0-1), M. Flanagan (1-0), F. Wilson (0-3), S. Colleary (0-1), J. Conroy (0-1), J.P. Casey (0-1), G. Dolan (1-0), D. Dolan (0-5). Subs: A. Mangan (for Conroy), J. Fallon (for Wilson), P. Rouse (for Morley).

Limerick: S. O’Donnell, M. O’Riordan, D. Sheehy, T. Stack, C. Mullane, J. Quane (0-2), D. Reidy, J. Stokes, J. Galvin, S. Lavin, M. Gavin (1-8), S. Kelly (0-2), C. Fitzgerald (0-1), B. Begley (0-1), M. Reidy. Sub: J. Murphy (for M. Reidy).

26/4/2008, Navan, Westmeath 0-15 Dublin 0-10

Westmeath: G. Connaughton, F. Boyle, K. Gavin, J. Keane, M. Ennis (0-1), D. Heavin, D. Healy, M. Flanagan (0-2), D. O’Donoghue, F. Wilson (0-4), J. Smyth (0-1), D. Harte, A. Mangan (0-2), D. Glennon (0-2), D. Bannon (0-3). Sub: D. Dolan (for Mangan).

Dublin: S. Cluxton, D. Henry, B. Cahill, P. Casey, C. Moran, B. Cullen (0-1), G. Brennan, D. Magee, S. Ryan, K. Bonner (0-1), M. Vaughan (0-2), B. McManamon (0-1), J. Sherlock (0-2), C. Keaney (0-1), J. O’Brien (0-2). Subs: R. Cosgrove (for Sherlock), T. Diamond (for Cosgrove), E. O’Gara (for McManamon), D. Murray (for Bonner).

 

Westmeath supporters will be hoping that, come around 3.30pm next Sunday, Kieran Gavin - who last year lifted the Sigerson Cup with DCU and the Flanagan Cup with Mullingar Shamrocks - will emulate Ger Heavin in 2001, Rory O'Connell in 2003 and Des Dolan/Gary Connaughton in 2008 by raising aloft the Division 2 trophy.