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RTÉ GAA Podcast: Westmeath boom is back, early noughties reminiscing and 'higgledy piggledy' All-Ireland structure

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

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

First up the lads give their thoughts on the All-Ireland SFC draw being held before the finals.

Whelan 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.

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

On Westmeath, Dolan and Whelan 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.

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 comeback" against Derry, in the moment of the year so far for Whelan, as he lauds the swagger of Jack McCarron to kick that sideline after referee Noel Mooney saw the error of his ways.

Whelan is convinced it would have been a replay if Mooney had not changed his mind, Dolan adds that the confusion added to the drama in an 'incredible' game, with Derry left scratching their heads.

Turning to another Ulster clash, Whelan reckons you "have to feel for Down" after the emotional high of the Donegal win, coming down with such a bang against a driven Armagh.

Dolan 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?

Whelan's memories of Cork-Kerry Munster finals in Killarney 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.

The panel than preview of the Connacht final 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?

Whelan asks if Padraig Joyce knows his best XV, 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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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.

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