Former Westmeath player John Heslin says winning a Leinster title at Dublin's expense would be special given their recent history with the men from the capital.
Many had tipped Kildare and reigning champions Louth to advance to this year’s provincial final, but Westmeath outlasted Lilywhites after extra time while Dublin proved there is plenty of fight left in them yet when comfortably accounting for the Wee County.
Westmeath, who have only ever lifted the Delaney Cup on one occasion when Páidí Ó Sé led them to glory in 2003, will be making just their sixth ever appearance in the Leinster showpiece.
Kildare (1931) and Meath (1949) scuppered their first two appearances before that memorable summer of success 22 years ago. They would have to wait another 15 years before their next outing, where for two successive years they ran into a Dublin side at the peak of their powers.
Heslin was a key figure for Westmeath then as Dublin won both finals by a combined 28 points and while the counties haven't crossed championship paths since 2020, the St Loman’s man feels those chastening defeats to Jim Gavin's all-conquering team forms a context to this year's final.
"For Westmeath, having gone through the last number of years with Dublin at their peak, I think it would probably be a little bit more special to win a Leinster and beat the Dubs," he told RTÉ Radio 1’s Inside Sport."
"Does playing Dublin add a little bit? It probably does for the likes of myself. They were so dominant when I played them, winning Leinster for 14 seasons. It would make it a little bit sweeter if we can get across the line against the Dubs."
Heslin, who brought the curtain down on his inter-county career last year, has seen his former team-mates take down Longford, Meath and Kildare en route to Croke Park.
Dublin, who were underwhelming in getting past Wicklow and have manager Ger Brennan still serving a suspension, looked far more clinical against Louth and return to GAA HQ with growing momentum
"It’s hard to ever write off Dublin, with so many experienced players who have won so many All-Irelands," Heslin said. "With all that muscle memory, they know how to win. That’s what they did against Louth. They controlled the game and put a significantly high press, high energy up the field to put Louth under pressure.
"Niall Scully controlled the game, picking passes out and they were exceptional. It will be a tough ask for Westmeath, but with their pace and youth, they will be asking different questions of Dublin.
"I’m confident the guys will give a performance."
Regardless of the outcome, Dublin will face Louth again in their next outing after Leinster, while Monday’s draw has pitted Westmeath up against former manager Dermot McCabe when they square off against Cavan in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC.
The standout fixture is the heavyweight clash of All-Ireland champions Kerry and the side they defeated in last July’s final, Donegal.
In a repeat of the recent Division 1 final, Heslin says the fact it isn’t knockout could impact the dynamic of the mouthwatering fixture.
"What are the consequence of losing? They are not gone, but it could be a momentum changer," he said.
"It will be interesting to see how those teams line out and the approach they take. Will it be a shadow-boxing if they might face each other later in the season?"
Watch Kerry v Cork in the Munster Football final (1.45pm) and Roscommon v Galway in the Connacht Football final (4.15pm) on Sunday from 1.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
Watch The Saturday Game and The Sunday Game from 9.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on all matches on the RTÉ News app and on rte.ie/sport
