Dessie Dolan's side came within inches of progressing from their group last year.
If Westmeath need encouragement as they face in to the Sam Maguire series "Group of Death", they only need look back to the same time and competition last year.
That's according to Midlands 103 analyst, Gerry Buckley after The Lake County were handed a tough draw for this year's All Ireland Senior Football Championship.
Dessie Dolan's side narrowly avoided dropping in to the Tailteann Cup this year thanks to their promotion to Division Two of the league, and Kildare's relegation and failure to reach a provincial final.
Buckley says Westmeath were landed in a tough group last year, and they acquitted themselves well:
It was this close! 😬
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 18, 2023
Tyrone were inches away from exiting the All-Ireland as Westmeath talisman John Heslin missed a last-gasp free at Breffni Park.
Report and highlights ⤵️#BBCGAA
The Championship throws-in on the weekend of the 18th and 19th.
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