Westmeath should refuse to back down in their bid to host Dublin in next year’s Championship, according to Bernard Flynn.
Jack Cooney's side were first out of the hat when they drew the reigning champions for a Leinster quarter-final this week.
But the Leinster Council immediately made clear their preference for the game to be played at the Bord Na Mona O’Connor Park in Tullamore rather TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar which can hold 6,000 fewer people.
“You could take it now that it will be Tullamore,” said Leinster chairman Jim Bolger. “It’s an ideal one for Tullamore the way the draw fell.”
This is a stance that has been called "utter nonsense" by Meath legend and long-time Mullingar resident Bernard Flynn.
He told the Irish Mirror: "This game has to played in Cusack Park, full stop.
"If you look at the precedent that was set with Kildare and Mayo in Newbridge, there shouldn't be any issue here.
"Cusack Park is a 11,500 capacity stadium and they can easily iron out a few health and safety problems.
"I don't believe that anymore than 12,000 would be going to the match anyway. It can't always be about money.
"Westmeath and all these counties over the years have been very good to the Leinster Council. They have created a lot of revenue for them.
"Now this is the time for the Leinster Council to take off the monetary hat and show a bit of empathy and compassion.
"It's about respect. Westmeath shouldn't have to do what they should do and that is to refuse the play the game unless it is in Mullingar. "
Flynn believes Kildare's refusal to bow down to the GAA with the 'Newbridge or nowhere' movement in 2018 set an important precedent.
And the two-time All-Ireland winner reckons the ball is now in the court of Westmeath's management and county board to hold their ground.
He said: "This is a test of Jack Cooney and his management and the Westmeath County Board - those two as a united collective.
"If they stand their ground and they're strong and carry out their stance with absolute conviction, there is no absolutely no doubt in my mind that the game will be played at Cusack Park.
"The problem here is that some counties are capable of that and some counties are not.
"This is a chance for Westmeath GAA to be united and actually stand up. The precedent has been set from Newbridge and there is absolutely no excuse and no reason for Westmeath to be playing this match in Tullamore.
"It's down to themselves and their belief and conviction, and how far they are willing to go to have a home game in Mullingar against Dublin.
"They cannot blink or flinch even once and should be backed all the way.
"I've been living in Westmeath for 28 years and this is exactly what they need to show the supporters, young players of the county and everybody that they will not be taken for a ride."
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