Westmeath achieve goal but Dessie Dolan wary of schedule

The effects of the GAA calendar and a defeat to Sligo put a taint on Westmeath's promotion to Division 2 as an out of contention Yeats County took the positive of extra time to prepare for their provincial championship opener.

Dessie Dolan’s side needed a positive result in the Yeats County or a Down win over Clare to ensure they go up and while they were not at the right level in Markievicz Park, enough went their way on the day.

Sligo were already out of the mix, yet emerged 1-14 to 0-11 with their best performance of the league in finishing mid-table.

Westmeath travel to Croke Park looking to lift the Division 3 trophy while also wary Wicklow are waiting in the wings a week later.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Dolan said: "I'm disappointed obviously with the result today but overall I suppose the aim at the start of the year was to get promotion and we got promotion.

"That's really important for Westmeath football to progress the side and progress the young players coming through for the future.

"We’d be disappointed with the performance today and we know playing in Croke Park next week we'll obviously have to improve.

"Down have been a very difficult team for us over the years but they've been performing very well in the National League this year as well so we know it'll be difficult but we look forward to the opportunity going to Croke Park."

Jamie Gonoud and John Heslin were back in the panel for Westmeath with a number of players on the treatment table for the Leinster side throughout the initial league campaign.

They will be sure to see action in Croke Park ahead of the Leinster opener.

Dolan added: "We’re hoping to get more lads back but the schedule is very difficult. Jason Sherlock is on our bus, I’m not sure he has done five