LISTEN: The Westmeath manager made a ‘mad’ promise in April
By Stephen Barry
Westmeath’s shock win over Meath was one nobody could have seen coming 20 minutes from full-time, never mind last April, as the county fell towards relegation from Division 2 of the League.
In fact the only man who may have seen it coming was Tom Cribbin, the Westmeath boss, who boldly predicted a run to the Leinster final on April 1st.
His vow was made by text to local journalist and historian Gerry Buckley, who is a personal friend of Cribbin’s.
Today Buckley revealed the text on Midlands 103 FM.
“Gerry, I promise my target is to deliver your dream and it is our main goal to beat Louth, Wexford and then Meath in Croke Park.
“You probably think I’m mad but if I don’t achieve this I feel I will have underachieved, and I don’t stay where I am not making progress and delivering on my full potential.
“I know how passionate you are and how much it hurts you when we underperform, Tom.”
The text was sent only four days before Cribbin infamously delivered a public dressing-down to his team on April 5th, after they lost their final League game to Roscommon.
Cribbin apologised to the players after that incident but has received a remarkable response since, with his side scoring 7-54 in the course of victories against Louth, Wexford and Meath.
Buckley, for his part, went buck wild celebrating in the press box on Sunday.
GAA historian Gerry Buckley celebrates Historic Westmeath victory against neighbours Meath #CrokePark #PressBox pic.twitter.com/SNn2lFMTAQ
— Eamon Carr OfficialCarrtogram (@carrtogram) June 28, 2015
“I got a good deal up in the air with joy,” said Buckley of his celebration. “It was something I dreamed about.”
Whether there is another promise about beating Dublin is unclear…
