Westmeath boom is back, early noughties reminiscing and the higgledy piggledy All-Ireland structure

Dessie Dolan and Ciaran Whelan join Cathal Mullaney to discuss
the latest Gaelic football news and look ahead to the provincial
finals.


First up (2:00) the lads give their thoughts on the All-Ireland
SFC draw being held before the finals. Whelo reckons it changes
the direction of the conversation and raises the question of
whether the "higgledy piggledy" structures should be flipped?
Provincials a little bit lost between league and All-Ireland
series.


Dessie says the draw is causing confusion, with Westmeath
bandwagon fans wondering why they're playing Cavan in the
Leinster final.


On Westmeath, Dessie and Whelo recall the 2004 quarter-final
ambush. The former Midlanders manager reckons Westmeath will be
fully focussed on getting players fit for Leinster final v Dublin
(8:00), with all eggs in the provincial final basket. Dessie
reckons Dublin are not in their pomp and it's an opportunity for
Westmeath.


They look back on Monaghan's "incredible comback" against Derry,
in the moment of the year so far for Whelo (17:00), as he lauds
the swagger of Jack McCarron to kick that sideline after referee
Noel Mooney saw the error of his ways.


Whelo is convinced it would have been a replay if Mooney had not
changed his mind (20:30). Dessie says the confusion added to the
drama in an 'incredible' game, with Derry left scratching their
heads.


Whelo reckons you "have to feel for Down" (24:00) after the
emotional high of the Donegal win, coming down with such a bang
against a driven Armagh. Dessie says Armagh's fitness, strength
and depth told against a Down side who couldn't reach the heights
of a week earlier. How will they get up for Tailteann Cup game
against a Leitrim side buoyed by their provincial campaign?


Whelo's memories of Cork-Kerry Munster finals in Killarney
(31:00) are mostly positive, and he thinks the Rebels will have
belief this weekend. A settled team in good form, who have been
given a gameplan by Donegal in the league final. The danger is
Cork being built up too much and Kerry playing the poor mouth
with their injuries.


Preview of the Connacht final (42:00) as Roscommon look to build
on a solid league and "top drawer" second half against Mayo - can
their midfield dominate against five-in-a-row chasing Galway?
Whelo asks if Padraig Joyce knows his best 15, but he knows the
Tribesmen will have plenty of spirit and fight. Dessie doesn't
think Galway will let Enda Smith have as much freedom as he did
the last day, similarly Joyce will have a plan for Diarmuid
Murtagh.


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