Although the natural assumption was that Westmeath would be a little dismayed by this turn of events, it's also worth pointing out that 'getting another crack at Meath' has been a recurring mantra with them ever since they set out on their long haul through the qualifiers. The only team from the new system's first round still on their feet, Westmeath even threw a replay in along the way. Now they're back where they started two months ago.

That day they were robbed blind. Kept afloat by a couple of goals from Graham Geraghty and Ollie Murphy, Meath only led from the moment Trevor Giles kicked the winning free in injury-time.

Westmeath have in the meantime beaten an ascending quality of opposition, culminating in one of the events of the qualifier series, their dramatic, extra-time win over Mayo. The problem for Luke Dempsey's team is that the Meath team that stumbled past them isn't the side they'll be playing tomorrow.

The Leinster champions have gone through their own programme of improvement. They have been relying on bursts of productivity but so far that's been enough. The defence has knitted together despite the suspension of Paddy Reynolds and at times indifferent form in the corners. Centrefield now has John McDermott back in situ and he came through a tough 70 minutes in the Leinster final.

Up front Trevor Giles is evidently hampered by injury of sorts but still manages to orchestrate attacks whereas besides Murphy and Geraghty, Evan Kelly and Richie Kealy have been threatening and delivering scores.

Westmeath have at times been as prone to occasional activity as Meath. As in the June meeting with tomorrow's rivals in June, they started the qualifier against Mayo in a storm of incisive moves and smart scores. But eventually they were pulled back.

Giving the ball away carries a higher price in matches against Meath whose economy was the principal reason behind their Leinster final win. Westmeath have some great forwards, chiefly Ger Heavin, but if the supply gets cut off as it did the last day you don't get to see them. And no team is better at cutting the supply lines than Meath.