Dessie Dolan


Dessie Dolan is an Irish sportsperson. He has played Gaelic football for Westmeath and Garrycastle, as well as international rules football for Ireland. He won a Leinster Senior Football Championship medal with Westmeath in 2004 and was given an All Star at the end of the year.

Playing career

University

Dolan played football for NUI Galway while studying at the team's parent university. He was unable to play during the 2003 Sigerson Cup winning game as a result of a torn hamstring sustained during the quarter-final.

Inter-county

Dolan has been widely regarded as Westmeath's leading talisman throughout their ascension from GAA minnows to quality opposition. Despite the growth and promise demonstrated in their 1999 U21 All Ireland victory, Westmeath experienced their most successful GAA period of their history between 2001–2008.
Largely due to virtually unmatchable talent in attack, Westmeath forced their way into GAA pundits' heads as upsetters and sometimes favourites. Two Division 2 league titles spearheaded by Dolan's attacking prowess and eventually, in 2004, Championship success in winning a Leinster Senior Football Championship title finally showed the squad's promise.
Westmeath reached three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals since the revamped championship system of 2001, with Dolan starring each season.
In 2013, Dolan expressed concern about the gulf in class that had opened up between the Dublins and Westmeaths.
In summer of 2014, Dolan announced his retirement from Inter-County football following the subsequent exit to Cavan.

Club

At club level Dolan has won numerous underage titles and back-to-back senior titles in 2005 and 2006 with club, Garrycastle.

International rules

Dolan was regularly selected for the Ireland international rules football team until the series was suspended in 2006.

Other interests

Dolan has participated in a marketing campaign for Ireland West Airport Knock.
He currently works as a pundit on The Sunday Game.

Honours

;Garrycastle
;Westmeath
;Individual