Ó Sé relishes team's 'special day'

FROM THE ARCHIVE:DESPITE THE muted build-up from Dublin, all the old problems were on display yesterday at Croke Park. Another inconsistent team selection still lacked a free-taker and a defining presence at centre back or midfield.

In the aftermath, Tommy Lyons refused to speak to the media, as did his haunted-looking players as they filed silently onto the team bus.

Sure, all the questions were answered on the field anyway.

Next door, Westmeath flung open their doors. No matter how they fare in the rest of the championship Páidí Ó Sé has earned the trust of the county.

The Kerry legend was pleased to speak about the contest that yielded Westmeath’s first championship victory over Dublin since 1967 – a “scalp” he has taken with regularity in other contexts.

“Today is a special day. When you take a county like Dublin, obviously that is a big scalp. The first one is Kerry and the next one is Dublin. They are the teams of the All-Ireland championship.

“The lads had to play exceptionally well today. Not four or five of them. We had to play well all through the field in every department for us to be in the shake-up with Dublin. You couldn’t pick a man of the match out there today, I wouldn’t attempt to.”

But Páidí was keen to deflect the emphasis from his input, instead focusing on the work done before him, particularly the famous underage success that is now finally bearing fruit at senior level. Also, back-to-back Leinster championship victories are a rare achievement in the county.

“It was totally and utterly a team effort. They’ll be throwing a share of the old credit over to me but I’ll be honest with you, an awful lot of groundwork had been done in Westmeath before I or Tomás Ó Flatharta, Paddy Collins and Jack Cooney ever got involved in it. So it was only a continuation of that.”

However, some of the plaudits must go to Páidí and his management team for the manner in which they got the players to overturn the half-time deficit.

“Early on, we were overrun and that was basically because an awful lot of fellas that guaranteed they were going to turn up the pressure up the field didn’t do it. As a result an awful lot of ball was kicked into open spaces for the Dublin forwards.

“It’s a big pitch out there, so if you’re getting in quality ball all the time it’s awfully hard to defend it.”

But what was the vital ingredient that turned the tide?

“I don’t know really,” replied Páidí. “Ask the lads, they’ll tell you. You need an element of luck as well.”

Dessie Dolan was due a day like this. Considering his ability, he has suffered unduly at this unforgiving arena.

Yesterday was part redemption for the dark days suffered at the hands of Meath in recent years.

“We knew ourselves we were a good team. We used to beat teams like this at underage and I suppose it was disappointing that we had not made the breakthrough at senior level, but we have still only played two games so we don’t want to get carried away. At least we’re beating a few different teams.” And all this without the services of their suspended All Star, Rory O’Connell. The midfield still held sway by the finish, despite the presence of physically imposing Dublin players like Ciaran Whelan, Darren Homan, Darren Magee and Conal Keaney.

“You just have to play with the lads you have. Rory wasn’t available to us today but hopefully he will get back early enough. He’s a great loss but the lads did well in midfield,” added Dolan.

Westmeath move forward to a potentially historic season, while Tommy Lyons waits in silence for the visit of London.

Not exactly the glamour tie Dublin fans have grown accustomed to over the years.