Westmeath's recent tale of woe at minor level continued in 2004 when they succumbed to Offaly after a replay in the Leinster championship quarter-final. The one bright spot in an otherwise disappointing year was the O'Donoghue Shield final victory over Cavan. It is a measure of how much under-age standards have slipped since Westmeath's last Leinster minor foot-ball championship success in 2000 that just one championship victory has been achieved in that time. That came in 2001 when Wexford were defeated after a replay. Westmeath subsequently lost to Offaly in the Leinster semi-final and it was the Faithful County who ended their championship interests once again last June after another replay. Over the two games, Westmeath enjoyed the lion's share of possession but their failure to capitalise on this, coupled with all too frequent lapses in concentration, ultimately cost them victory. In the drawn encounter at Cusack Park, Frank Mescall's charges were lucky to survive after conceding three goals of the soft variety. Westmeath's naviety was again in evidence in the replay at O'Connor Park when some terrible finishing saw them bow out on a 0-9 to 0-10 scoreline. Offaly's subsequent defeat to a Kildare team who were well beaten by Laois in the Leinster final doesn't reflect well on Westmeath. Underage standards have clearly declined and unless there's an improvement shortly, Westmeath will struggle to maintain their recent high standards at senior level in the years ahead. Hopes of an extended run in the Leinster championship were raised when, just a month before the Leinster championship clash with Offaly, Westmeath captured the O'Donoghue Shield following a 0-11 to 0-10 victory over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park. When Westmeath last won this title in 1995, they followed it up with an historic All-Ireland success. After a poor run in the Leinster League, it was just the boost Westmeath needed going into the championship. Star of the show for the visitors was that exciting prospect from Tyrrellspass, David Glennon, who accounted for all but two points of his side's tally. Despite being under the cosh from long periods in the first half, Westmeath displayed admirable battling qualities to be level on 0-5 apiece at the interval. Two frees from Glennon helped Frank Mescall's side to a 0-8 to 0-6 lead on the restart, but Cavan had regained parity at 0-10 each with two minutes remaining. But in a last-ditch effort, Westmeath substitute Niall Walker punted the ball into attack where Glennon was fouled after winning possession. Showing a cool head, he sent the ball straight between the posts to give the visitors a dramatic victory. On a splendid day for football, Westmeath played host to Offaly at Cusack Park on May 15. Westmeath's hopes were hit by the late withdrawal of tenacious defender TJ Gonoud due to a thigh injury, but it was hardly an excuse for what was a calamitous first half display by the home side. Apart from conceding two soft goals in a disastrous three-minute spell, Westmeath kicked seven wides while Denis Glennon hit the post with an injury-time penalty, all of which left Frank Mescall's charges trailing by 0-4 to 2-4 at the interval. After trailing by 0-2 to 0-0 early on, Westmeath recovered to lead by 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes thanks to points from Glennon (two) and full forward Paul Kelly. Greg Quinn levelled for Offaly before Thomas Coughlan got inside the Westmeath defensive cover to fire home the opening goal in the 22nd minute. Westmeath had scarcely recovered when Coughlan pounced for his second goal after being set up by Quinn. Fiachra Spellman replied with a point for the shell-shocked home side before Ronan Monaghan landed a great score to give the Faithful County a six-point cushion at the break. Whatever Frank Mescall said to his players during the interval obviously had the desired effect as within a minute of the restart, Conor Jordan and Glennon combined to set up Kelly for a fisted goal. Kelly followed that with a deft left-footed point to leave Westmeath just two points adrift. Greg Quinn responded with a point for the visitors but a resurgent Westmeath continued to apply strong pressure and were back on level terms after 46 minutes courtesy of unanswered points from Jordan and Glennon (two frees). When Gavin Hoey fired over the lead point three minutes later, Westmeath looked set for victory but an inexplicable lapse in defence allowed Gareth Hickey in for a third Offaly goal with 10 minutes remaining. It appeared that might knock the stuffing out of the home side, but their spirit never wavered and in a thrilling finish, Glennon twice pointed (the latter coming directly from a sideline kick) to earn Westmeath a 1-11 to 3-5 draw. It was all to play for in the replay at Tullamore on May 26 but despite having a huge support cheering them on, Westmeath failed abysmally to live up to expectations and eventually succumbed to a one-point defeat. And while controversy raged at the finish when substitute Darren Moore was denied an equalizing point by a dubious umpiring decision, Westmeath could have few complaints after squandering numerous scoring chances over the hour. As in the drawn game, Westmeath's character was admirable, particularly when they were reduced to 14 players after wing back Ronan Foley was sent off for a second bookable offence just before half-time. For 22 minutes of the second half, the visitors battled against the odds until Dublin referee Shane Farrell restored parity when Offaly midfielder James Rafferty was also dismissed for a second yellow card offence. At that stage, the sides were level on 0-7 each and when Westmeath edged in front courtesy of a point from Brian Smith, their supporters sensed victory. However, Offaly responded impressively to draw level again and went two points clear by the 59th minute as Westmeath were left playing catch-up again. A pointed free from a somewhat subdued David Glennon in the third minute of injury-time reduced the deificit to the minimum before David Duffy played a pass to Moore, who cut inside his man and shot for a point. It came agonisingly close but was waved wide by the umpires, despite protests from the Westmeath players. There was no time for the kick-out to be taken and so ended another disappointing minor football campaign for the Lake County. The Westmeath team which lost to Offaly in the Leinster MFC quarter-final replay was: David Bryan; Michael Gavin, Mark McLoughlin, Micheál Curley; Ronan Foley, Brendan Nannery, Francis Boyle; David Duffy, Conor Jordan; Fiachra Spellman, Gavin Hoey, Brian Smith; Keith Scally, Paul Kelly, David Glennon. Subs used: Michael McAdden, Darren Moore and Niall Walker. Tweet

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