Qualter's enthusiasm proves inspirational driving force

In Focus/Westmeath hurlers: At times like this it's hard to imagine what drives Westmeath hurling. On Sunday they play Dublin in the Leinster hurling quarter-finals, a team they've beaten only once before in the history of the championship - back in 1982. If they manage an upset there they'll get to play Kilkenny in the semi-finals - with no explanation required for that championship record.

Just a few weeks ago their lowly status in the championship was reflected at the All-Ireland launch, when Westmeath's captain John Shaw wasn't present among the 12 Liam MacCarthy contenders. The Antrim captain had been invited by mistake, as they're in fact contesting the Christy Ring Cup this year. Insult, on top of Westmeath's apparent insignificance.

Yet none of this dampens the enthusiasm of manager Séamus Qualter. He took over less than a year ago when then manager Tom Ryan jumped ship just a week before Westmeath were starting into the Christy Ring Cup. Qualter, who had been one of Ryan's selectors, refused to lose heart, rallied the troops, and eventually led Westmeath to victory in the Christy Ring final over Down, a game played in Croke Park and broadcast live on television.

"Winning that Christy Ring Cup was great for us," says Qualter. "The exposure was very important, and we also got a holiday in New York and that was great for the players. This year we know we're entering a competition where we've no chance of winning anything, that's the reality it. Our only goal for the year is to remain in the 12, and survive in the MacCarthy Cup for another year.

"But to be honest I think it's more important we play at that level, and get the exposure, rather than be down playing poorer teams in front of 50 or 100 people. Competing at that higher level is very important if we are ever going to close that gap on the leading counties. I think there's very little to gain from playing teams we know are below us in front of small crowds, with absolutely no atmosphere. That's why the big carrot for us on Sunday is to play Kilkenny down on our own pitch in a few weeks' time, in front of a few thousand people. That would be actually be a great lift for Westmeath hurling. We know we're headed for the qualifiers after that, and will probably take a few hard beatings along the way, but we're guaranteed two home games, again against quality teams and with decent crowds. And that's how you make progress."

Qualter, however, is not losing sight of Sunday's challenge. Dublin took the league Division Two title relatively easily back on April 30th, having beaten Westmeath in the semi-finals, and will start as strong favourites in Portlaoise on Sunday.

"I know we played Dublin back in 2003 and they beat us by 16 points. In 2004 they beat us by nine points, and in the league a few weeks ago they beat us by seven points. So we are getting closer."

Given the obvious difference in pools of players between Dublin (who have 24 clubs fielding senior teams, and as many as 100 playing hurling of some sort) and Westmeath (who have eight senior and six intermediate clubs) it's a wonder Westmeath can be competitive at all. It takes things like Qualter's enthusiasm to make up the difference.

"Well, first of all I know I'm working with a fantastic bunch of players. And there is a lot of work being done. You could come to the club in Athlone here on a Saturday morning and there would be 100 or so eight- to 12-year-olds out playing hurling. The real problem though is that just like Kildare and Wicklow and Carlow, football still dominates."

He has several injury problems ahead of Sunday, and won't finalise a team until this evening - with Killian Cosgrove ruled out with a back injury, defender Dermot Curley and forward Barry Kennedy also listed as doubtful.