Lowry unconcerned by early problems

Westmeath manager Brendan Lowry allowed himself a laconic smile as he dwelled on his team's performance after yesterday's victory over Longford. "Was I worried? No, not at all, or at least that is what I am going to tell you know.

"I knew we were creating plenty of chances and despite shooting too many wides weren't playing that badly. So when we suddenly overturned the deficit I wasn't that surprised. We just need to be more accurate."

Westmeath shot 17 wides, trailed their hosts by five points at one stage yet finished with a tally of 3-14 and a comfortable seven-point victory: they will now face Laois at Croke Park in three weeks' time.

However, Lowry conceded that his decision to move centre half forward Paul Conway to midfield, an area in which Longford's David Hannify was thriving until then, was central to his team's revival. "It did make a difference and Paul was able to do well there.

"But again I wasn't unduly concerned. I had faith in the players and their ability to go on creating chances. Thankfully we began to take them. One thing that pleased me in particular was the fact that we were still going strong at the end.

"This is a very fit team and if we can get the breaks against Laois then who knows." The former Offaly footballer was more composed than many of the large Westmeath following whose silence for long periods highlighted their unease and possibly their incredulity that their team could shoot so many wides when well placed.

Longford manager Michael McCormack preferred to dwell on his team's performance and the lessons that his inexperienced charges received. "It was a valuable learning experience and I am not too disheartened at the result. We are in the process of team building, it's a young team and there are more youngsters to come in.

"It is a long road to success and there are no short cuts, only various stages that have to be reached. I thought the turning point was Lyons's goal. We were on top of Westmeath for three quarters of the game and never killed them off. When they got on top they put us away. That was the difference."