BALLYBODEN football boss Liam O'Dwyer has hailed his players after a memorable campaign ended on a downbeat note in Mullingar yesterday.

"It has been a fantastic year and I want to pay credit to my squad, they've been outstanding," declared O'Dwyer, having watched his troops fall at the penultimate hurdle in Leinster.

"To come from a position of finishing mid-table last year in the league to winning the Dublin championship this year and getting to a Leinster club semi-final is a huge achievement for the club."

The 'Boden manager described the late withdrawal of Conal Keaney - with a 'flu virus that left him drained of all energy - as an "awful blow" but he dismissed the notion that fatigue among any of his dual players may have contributed to their five-point defeat against Garrycastle.

For the Westmeath champions, it's all about looking forward but their senior players are adamant that having reached a first Leinster final, they must now look to close the deal against either Portlaoise or Clara.

"I don't know if it means a huge amount," reasoned long-serving 'keeper Cathal Mullin. "Westmeath teams - Tyrrellspass most recently - have got to Leinster finals. We have nothing to do with any of that. This is our first Leinster final, and it's our job really to go and win it. Not much point getting to a Leinster final and then not showing up on the day."

Reflecting on their previous (shortlived) provincial campaigns, Dessie Dolan remarked: "We probably weren't physically strong enough and two or three lads used to go stretchered off. I suppose it is a step-up from your normal club football in the county."

But he added: "I'd like to think we've good experience on the team. It's been a good year so far but obviously, with a Leinster final, it's all on the day. Everything you've done before will be out the window. Conditions are very tough at the minute; the whole country is under water, so it is difficult for football and it's all about cool heads."

Manager Anthony Cunningham wasn't part of those earlier failed assaults on Leinster but, having won a Connacht title with St Brigid's of Kiltoom, he knows what is required. Cunningham suggested that, previously, a younger Garrycastle "didn't understand the significance" of winning your province and the respect that comes with it.

But now, he added, "they have a lot of experience with the Dolans, Doran Harte, Shaugho, so why not kick on and go for it?"

- Frank Roche