Westmeath manager Joe Quaid is in no doubt that his charges are in for a tough test in the NHL next year.

For the first time in 33 years, Westmeath will ply their trade in Division One of the NHL where they will meet the likes of Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford and their conquerors from last Sunday Cork.

The Rebels ran out comfortable winners in the sides’ All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarterfinal and Quaid admitted to the Westmeath Independent that it gave his players an insight of what they will face next year.

The Limerick native added that there is a lot of work to be done, but stressed that they are heading in the right direction, despite a poor ending to their year.

“We’re in year on of a three-year project. We won the Kehoe Cup, we won Division 2A of the league and we’re playing Division One hurling against Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick and Waterford next year for the first time in 33 years,” said Quaid.

“Now the last seven or eight days have been hugely disappointing for me and the lads, but you have to look at the positives. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Are we ready to go up to that level? No.

“Will we be further down the line this time next year to go up to that level? Absolutely. We’ll do everything in our power to get there.”

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