Sunday February 1st saw both our senior teams out in action! Our hurlers faced their first competitive game v Kerry in Austin Stack Park, Tralee while our footballers faced Clare in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg.
Our hurlers secured a point on the Allianz League Division 2 table after a last minute equaliser from Raharney man Eamonn Cunneen.
Despite Kerry playing with 14 men for over half the game, the hosts led by six points entering the final quarter and still held a four-point advantage late on. However, Westmeath showed real character, with Killian Doyle landing two crucial points in added time to keep the contest alive.
In a chaotic finish, play was briefly halted for a late card, but Westmeath stayed switched on. Cunneen gathered a loose ball as Kerry appealed for the final whistle and calmly slotted over the equaliser to snatch a share of the spoils. While Westmeath had to rely on points rather than goals, Doyle and David Williams shouldered the scoring load, contributing 0-13 between them.
Kerry dominated long spells and struck two first-half goals but were left to rue missed chances, wasting 18 scoring opportunities over the hour. Westmeath, meanwhile, grew stronger as the game wore on and finished with momentum. Kevin O’Brien’s men showed their resilience in Austin Stack Park and deservedly made the journey home with a point on the table.
Sean Jackson; Shane Williams, Conor Shaw, Conor McKeogh; Mark Cunningham, Johnny Bermingham (0-01), Rory Keyes; Killian Doyle (0-7, 4fs), Eamonn Cunneen(0-2, 1s/l); David Williams (0-6, 2’fs, 2’65’s), Kevin Regan, Josh Coll; Eoin Keyes, Darragh McCormack, Peter Clarke (0-01)
J Fry for J Coll (h/t), A Shaw for K Regan (45), J Gillen for J Bermingham (65)
: C Bohane; K O’Connor, S McGrath, E Leen; J O’Connor, J Diggins, M Leane(0-01); A Segal, K Goulding; T Doyle (1-00), R Walsh (1-1), J Brick; O Maunsell (0-7, 5fs, 1’65), D Casey, M Slattery(0-02).
G Dooley for J Brick (54), I Conway for D Casey (58), H Lenihan for a Segal (64), N O’Mahony for K Goulding (73)
Our footballers maintained their winning ways, with two wins from two now in the Allianz League after a 5 point victory in Ennis.
After an even opening quarter, Mark McHugh’s side found their rhythm with the aid of the breeze, finishing the first half strongly. A late goal from captain Ronan Wallace helped Westmeath surge into a commanding 1-10 to 0-05 lead at the break.
Clare responded after the restart, using the wind to good effect as two-pointers from Aaron Griffin and Mark McInerney reduced the deficit. However, Westmeath showed composure and resilience, consistently answering the home side’s big scores. A crucial spell around the final quarter saw Westmeath register 1-03, including a decisive goal finished by substitute Brían Cooney, to reassert control.
Although Clare mounted a late rally to cut the gap, Westmeath managed the closing stages confidently to seal a 2-19 to 1-17 win. The result underlines Westmeath’s growing consistency and evidence of the hard work being put in by players and management.
Westmeath: Jack Connaughton; Danny Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Boidu Sayeh; Brian Guerin, Tadhg Baker, Ronan Wallace (1-02); Jonathan Lynam, Ray Connellan (0-02); Matthew Whittaker (0-02), Sam McCartan (0-05, 2tp), Kevin O’Sullivan (0-02); Senan Baker, Luke Loughlin (0-03, 1f), Danny McCartan
Subs: TJ Cox (0-02) for Guerin (29), Brian Cooney (1-00) for S. Baker (HT), Tom Molloy for D. McCartan (56), Robbie Forde (0-01) for O’Sullivan (70), Shane Allen for Connellan (73).
Clare: Stephen Ryan; Alan Sweeney (1-00), Ronan Lanigan, Manus Doherty; Dermot Coughlan, Ikem Ugwueru, Cillian Brennan; Brian McNamara (0-02), Darragh Bohannon; Brendy Rouine, Eoin Cleary (0-03, 1tp), Aaron Griffin (0-07, 2tp, 1f); Joe Rafferty, Mark McInerney (0-03, 1tp, 1f), Cormac Murray (0-01)
Subs: Connor Meaney for Rafferty (47), Caoilfhionn O’Dea for Rouine (56), Gavin Murray for C. Murray (61), Morgan Garry for Brennan (62), Jamie Stack (0-1) for Cleary (67).
By westmeathpro Mon 2nd Feb
