It's hard to be realistic about this without appearing gratuitously offensive to Westmeath but all the talk of Meath's vulnerability and poor challenge results should be seen in context. In 19 years they've only three times been knocked out in Leinster by a team which didn't win the provincial title. Judged on last year's championship evidence, Westmeath are unlikely provincial contenders. They have never beaten their neighbours in a championship match and this will be a huge task for the Division Two winners. Their forwards are quality and centrefield is competitive - particularly with John McDermott now retired - but the backs didn't inspire confidence against Cork. Meath will strangle the life out of the game and concentrate on picking off their scores in the airless confines. Last year an Offaly team with limited scoring power beat Meath by sticking to their plan. Still Sean Boylan's team should still win.