Bernard Flynn has compared John Heslin to Michael Murphy.

Flynn believes the 22-year-old St. Loman's clubman holds the key to Westmeath recording a first ever championship win over Meath in Sunday's Leinster SFC semi-final at Croke Park.

The Royal County legend, who has been involved as a player and manager with St. Loman's town rivals Mullingar Shamrocks for over 20 years, said of Heslin in the Irish Sun: "I've watched him closely since underage level and I've managed against him. He is an incredible talent.

"I've seen it at club level and I know how difficult it is to nullify his influence. But I don't think people have seen at county level yet the level of ability that he actually possesses.

"That should start to happen now because Westmeath have begun playing him in his best position of full forward. I didn't think midfield was getting the best out of him for the past couple of years."

Flynn added: "Michael Murphy has achieved a lot at the very highest level, but I would put Heslin in his mould.

"Murphy has had a better support system (in Donegal) that allows him to do what he does. Murphy has had quiet games, but nobody is down on top of him or giving him stick.

"Heslin has got a bit of stick, unfairly so at times, whenever he has had a quiet game and I think that people need to lay off. John has to learn a little bit more, but he needs to be allowed to do that without having too much pressure heaped on him."

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