Things are suddenly looking up for Westmeath football.

After suffering their second successive league relegation in the spring, the Lake County got their season back on track with a seven-point win over Louth in the first round of the Leinster SFC yesterday.

They did so without three former captains - Denis Glennon, Paul Sharry and Kieran Gavin - who manager Tom Cribbin expects to have available for the visit of Wexford to Mullingar on June 14. Tricky forward John Connellan is also expected back, while midfielder Denis Corroon is set to rejoin the panel after returning from a spell in the UK.

"We were missing three or four very experienced lads there today. Paul Sharry, Denis Glennon, Kieran Gavin, David Duffy and Stephen Gallagher were all out," Cribbin explained.

"They're serious big strong players up the middle, so if we get all them back right we'll be in the right place.

"I'd definitely hope to have Denis back by then and Paul Sharry. Kieran Gavin will be on the verge, but whether he makes it or not remains to be seen, but hopefully."

Asked if his infamous outburst following Westmeath's relegation to Division 3 of the Allianz League had the desired effect, the Clane man replied: "Ah not really, no.

"I speak from the heart the whole time with them ... I was disappointed for them. Sometimes you want to have an excuse - the lads 'were drinking or messing' or something. But they're not like that. They're as committed a bunch of players as I've ever worked with in my life."

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