Westmeath edge out dcu in thriller to end losing run
Westmeath 3-11 DCU 2-13
The losing monkey is finally off Westmeath’s back.
Westmeath ended their long wait for a victory in a competitive fixture with this narrow win over DCU in the Bord na Mona O’Byrne Cup at chilly Kinnegad last night (Wednesday).
After 15 defeats on the trot, this was Westmeath's first competitive victory since the summer of 2013 - and it comes as a welcome boost to the players and new manager Tom Cribbin.
Having lost to old rivals Meath in the opening round, Westmeath made a number of changes for this encounter. DCU, who recorded an emphatic win over Longford the previous weekend, included Conor Daly of Padraig Pearses in their starting line-up.
Westmeath got off to an ideal start when wing-back James Dolan fired the ball to the DCU net within a mere 15 seconds of the throw-in. On 24 minutes, a second goal from Ger Egan - whose shot looped over DCU keeper Tadhg Lowe - gave Westmeath a 2-3 to 0-4 lead.
But DCU looked slick going forward and, with 2014 Dublin U21 star Conor McHugh to the fore, they looked capable of punishing Westmeath on the counter attack. In the 35th minute, Westmeath lost the ball coming out of defence and after Darren Quinn was unable to gather a high ball, DCU took advantage with Conor McNally eventually slapping the ball to the net.
Westmeath's other scores in the first half came from Athlone's Ray Connellan - including a majestic point from play - and Ger Egan (pointed free), leaving the home side leading 2-5 to 1-6 at half-time.
Two points by the classy Conor McHugh brought the sides level within six minutes of the restart. But the hosts replied immediately when James Dolan cut through the DCU rearguard and though his shot was saved by Lowe, Lorcan Smyth slid the ball home from the rebound. A fisted point followed from the industrious Ger Egan, before Conor McHugh landed a free.
As the entertaining fare continued, Davy Byrne fisted the ball to the Westmeath net in the 50th minute, after lax defending from the home side.
Ger Egan and Conor McHugh swapped points from frees, before Egan put the Lake men back in front with a long-range shot which hopped over the crossbar. Ray Connellan landed two points from frees, either side of a point from lively DCU substitute Rory Connor. The latter then cut Westmeath's lead to the minimum, and Westmeath had a let-off when the impressive McHugh was off target for once.
The influential Connellan restored the two-point cushion in the 68th minute and, in the dying moments, DCU midfielder Tom Flynn was shown a black card. As the Dublin side had already introduced six subs, he could not be replaced.
In an exciting finish, DCU then won a 13-metre free after a big fetch from full-forward Conor McGraynor. McHugh blasted the free over the bar to leave just a point in it once more, but Westmeath won possession from the kick-out and the final whistle quickly followed. It was greeted by relief from the home fans.
In their final group game, Westmeath take on neighbours Longford in Ballymahon on Sunday (2pm).
SCORERS - Westmeath: G Egan 1-4 (0-2f); R Connellan 0-7 (5f); J Dolan and L Smyth 1-0 each. DCU: C McHugh 0-8 (4f) C McNally 1-1; D Byrne 1-0; R Connor 0-2; N Murphy and M Quinn 0-1 each
WESTMEATH: Darren Quinn; John Gilligan, Kevin Maguire, Timmy Mescall; Damien Dolan, Kieran Martin, James Dolan; Paul Sharry, John Stapleton; David McCormack, Ger Egan, Paddy Holloway; Ray Connellan, Lorcan Smyth, Alan Coffey. Subs: John Egan for McCormack (20); David Lynch for D Dolan (45), Mark McCallon for Gilligan (45); David Whelan for Smyth (68); Killian Daly for Coffey (68).
DCU: Tadhg Lowe; Jack Smith, Donal Wynne, Dessie Ward; Conor Daly, Conor Boyle, Michael Quinn; Tom Flynn, Steven O'Brien; Conor McNally, Niall Murphy, Davy Byrne; Evin Keane, Conor McGraynor, Conor McHugh. Subs: Colm Begley for Quinn (30); Conor Moynagh for Boyle (h-t); Rory Connor for Keane (h-t); Fintan Kelly for Ward (44); Simon McCoy for McNally (53); Donie Smith for Murphy (62).
REFEREE: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).