Wicklow need to hit ground running to parry the odds

LEINSTER SFC QUARTER-FINALS:HOW MANY times must Mick O'Dwyer work the football oracle before they stop calling him a man and realise he is a prophet after all? The answer may be blowing in the summer breeze in Tullamore tomorrow afternoon.

There was something very O’Dwyer-like about the way Wicklow got past Longford in the first round. They raced into an early advantage and, despite shaking a little bit later on, still had the spirit and enthusiasm and character to get over the line first. It’s just they’ll need to up the ante again to beat Westmeath.

Neither team, naturally, can afford to get distracted by the prize awaiting the winners; the semi-final date with Dublin in Croke Park. Westmeath will certainly relish another shot at the Leinster champions, but question marks do remain about their form following a winless record in Division One of the league – even though a few of those defeats, particularly against Tyrone, could just as easily gone the other way.

They’ll start without several first-choice players, including Dermot Bannon and, while Dessie Dolan and Michael Ennis are listed among the subs, their influence will surely be missed. Instead, Conor Lynam makes his debut at left corner forward with Keith Scally also making a first championship start in the half forwards.

Martin Flanagan returns to duty at midfield while Denis Glennon is the big threat up front.

These are players Westmeath simply can’t do without, but if they rekindle the sort of team spirit that saw them capture the Leinster title in 2004 then they’re a match for almost any team in the country.

Wicklow will be hoping that won’t happen here, because truth is they lack the depth and experience of the Westmeath players. The Wicklow forwards are small and quick, and will need to take every chance they get.

It may ultimately come down to the old cliché of who wants it more, but, on paper at least, Westmeath look the more formidable opposition.

WICKLOW:M Travers; C Hyland, D Power, A Byrne; P McWalter, D Ó hAnnaidh, P Dalton; J Stafford, T Walsh; T Hannon, L Glynn, R Nolan; D Odlum, S Furlong, P Earls.

WESTMEATH:G Connaughton; F Boyle,

K Gavin, J Keane; D O’Donoghue, D Heavin,

W Murtagh; M Flanagan, D Duffy; K Scally,

J Smyth, D Harte; F Wilson, D Glennon,

C Lynam.

Referee:J McQuillan (Cavan).

In the last episode:There's not exactly a great provincial rivalry here, though Wicklow supporters will always recall the previous meeting of 1995, when they enjoyed a memorable 0-9 to 0-3 win over Westmeath.

You bet:Westmeath start odds-on at 2/5, with Wicklow at 11/4, and 8/1 the draw.

On your marks:Wicklow have the advantage of one championship game under their belt, the two-point win over Longford. Westmeath won't be easily pulled back if they get ahead, and no better man to remind Wicklow of that than Mick O'Dwyer.

Gaining ground:Tullamore is one of those neutral venues that rarely impacts on the result.

Just the ticket:Stand tickets are €20, or €15 for admission into the terrace. Family tickets of one adult and two children are priced at adults €20, children €5 each; terrace: Adults €15, children €3.

Students and senior citizens can purchase stand tickets at full price and on the day of the match claim a rebate of €10 when producing appropriate ID.

Crystal gazing:It's impossible to write off any team when they boast Mick O'Dwyer on the sideline, but Westmeath will have to play particularly poorly to allow him work the oracle here.