Westmeath GAA which they were nevertheless promoted from Division 2, the team was knocked out of the Leinster Senior Football Championship in the first round by Offaly. However wins over London, Limerick, Sligo and then a historic defeat of Galway in Pearse Park in Salthill set up a third All-Ireland Quarter Final for the team in six years - this time against Dublin. Westmeath did not live up to expectations in the Quarter Final meeting against Dublin and lost by 10 points. Westmeath staged a strong second half display to capture the 2008 Division 2 National Football League title for the third
Brendan Murphy (Carlow footballer) Brendan Murphy (Carlow footballer) Brendan Murphy (born 26 March 1989) () is an Irish sportsman from Rathvilly, County Carlow. He is a member of the Carlow senior football team, and his local club Rathvilly. Murphy played minor football for Carlow and was star of the team that lost the Leinster minor football championship final in 2007. Carlow lost in Round 1 of the championship to Longford, but recovered in the playoffs, causing a massive shock in beating Meath and Wexford, before beating Westmeath and Louth to reach the final. For a while, it looked like Murphy might miss the final