Connaughton says Heslin recall a 'no-brainer'
Former Westmeath goalkeeper Gary Connaughton in attendance for the 2026 Leinster Senior Football Final media day at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
Westmeath football legend, Gary Connaughton, says Lake County manager Mark McHugh’s decision to recall John Heslin to his panel for Sunday’s Leinster SFC Final against Dublin was “a no-brainer”.
Heslin, who made his debut for Westmeath in 2011, announced his retirement from inter-county football in January 2025 but has been named on the bench for the clash with Dublin after returning to the panel less than two weeks ago.
Connaughton doesn’t view it as a risky call by McHugh though.
“He (Heslin) played at our club a few months ago, and if he wasn't on the pitch, we would have beat St. Loman's,” says Connaughton.
“The way he's playing in club football lately there, if it was any other player, they'd be definitely called in.
“It was a no-brainer to bring him in because there is injuries there, and there could probably injuries happen on Sunday as well. They definitely had to call him in.
"In fairness to Mark McHugh he did the right thing because at the end of the day we've only won one Leinster in our whole GAA history and we have a chance now of winning a second Leinster title.
“So, he's not thinking about annoying players or whatever. He's looking at what's best for him now. John Heslin is one of the best players in club football at the moment. Get him into the panel, he can score. If Westmeath lose on Sunday, it's not because of John Heslin. That's the way we see it.
"Mark McHugh has been ruthless. He's not here to make friends. As Kieran McGeaney said there after the last day, he wants his players disappointed and unhappy if they're not playing.
“Unfortunately, that's football. That's sport. It's a cutthroat business. When you get to this level, you can't be making friends or feeling sorry for one or two lads.
“You have to be ruthless and put in your best players into the squad, and that's going to give you a chance of winning a title.
“So, look, it's disappointing for one or two, alright. Probably one or two are going to lose out, but the bigger picture is for Westmeath to try and win a Leinster championship.
“If any lad deserves a Leinster medal, it'll be John Heslin anyway, because he's given some fantastic performances for Westmeath over the last 15 years. So it'd be nice to see him get a Leinster medal out of it.”
John Heslin of Westmeath in action against Conor Early of Louth during the 2023 Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Westmeath and Louth at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Meath. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Connaughton was Westmeath’s goalkeeper when they won their one and only Leinster title in 2004 and believes the current crop of players are good enough to follow in their footsteps on Sunday.
“I think so,” he says. “When we were here 10 years ago, 2015, 2016, we were up against one of the best teams ever in the GAA. There was no county team beating them. But now you have a chance here.
“Dublin aren't as strong as they were so there is a chance they can. But, still, there's different things. A lot of these players haven't even played in Croke Park before. How will they stand to the occasion?
“What Dublin team is going to turn up? A Dublin team that's going to blitz you off the pitch when get the running game going? Our lads are going to be hungry, they're going to be determined.
“It's just playing the occasion. You just have to blank out the occasion and focus on the game. But they're as good as anyone there at the moment.
“They're after beating two top heavyweights in Leinster now in Kildare and Meath. It's a great opportunity for them. In fairness to Mark McHugh, he's done some job there.”
