Gary Connaughton says motivational speaker Gerry Duffy has been instrumental in Westmeath's improved run of form.

Having gone through 2014 without a competitive win, the Lake County have made a fantastic start to the current calendar year and are zoning in on a return to Division One.

New manager Tom Cribbin recalled veteran custodian Connaughton for Sunday's superb victory over Kildare in Newbridge, but the former All Star goalkeeper says it was the addition of another man - serial marathon runner Duffy - to the camp that has been most decisive:

"Division 1 last year was probably a step too far for us and it drained the confidence out of the team going into the championship," he told RTE. "When Tom took over he got in a backroom team straight away that was going to work with the players off the pitch as well as on.

"The biggest addition to the team has been Gerry Duffy. He ran 32 marathons in 32 days and is an inspirational speaker. He's been a huge addition in getting the players' minds and focus right off the pitch. A lot of sport is how mentally right you are going into games.

"A lot of younger lads in the squad have never won anything with Westmeath so they perhaps lack the belief that they can win things. In fairness to Gerry, he's been getting their heads focused.

"I know we've only won two games in the O'Byrne Cup and two games in the league but still it's a great start to the year. Hopefully now we can get a good run going in the championship."

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