Westmeath fail to show true form

Displaying very little of the free-flowing football evident in their blitz wins over Offaly and Sligo a week earlier, the Westmeath Under-16 footballers slumped to a very disappointing defeat to Roscommon in the final of the Fr Manning Cup in Michael Fay Memorial Park on Thursday evening last. This game was originally fixed for the previous evening but inclement weather forced a 24-hour postponement. Naturally enough, given more rain throughout Thursday, the pitch was very heavy and underfoot conditions in the Longford venue were quite difficult for football. However, a physically bigger Roscommon side coped better with the conditions and were deserving victors. The fact that the winners scored a mere two points from a brace of penalty kicks, while Westmeath's goal came with the second last kick of the contest also from a spot kick, sums up the gulf between the sides on the day. A much improved second-half display by the lads in maroon and white still failed to yield scores on the board and the last-gasp penalty was their only score of the second moiety. Overall, there can be no denying that the prestigious Fr Manning Cup is resting in its rightful home for the next twelve months. Ironically, Westmeath started brightly and Paul Fennell, who had excelled in the earlier games, twice came close to opening the scoring - from a free and open play - but it was obvious that conditions would make scores hard to come by for lightly-built forwards. Eventually, the latter player opened the scoring when he converted a 25-metre free from his hands, after a somewhat soft award in the eighth minute. His twin brother David soon overplayed the ball when well positioned and Roscommon equalised with ten minutes elapsed, Donal Smith striking over a free from the ground. Fintan Kelly was wide for the Rossies after a lengthy solo run before another successful free from Donal Smith gave the Connacht side a lead they never looked likely to relinquish. Midway through the half, Westmeath had a lucky escape when a cross from Caolain Fitzmaurice was fisted towards a gaping goal by Ross Timothy but the ball flew back off the upright. At the other end, a dangerous ball forward from Dean McNicholas hopped agonisingly wide, but Roscommon always looked the more menacing when they attacked and Darren Brady was forced into a good save to deny Shane Jordan a goal. The Westmeath netminder was not as fortunate in the winners' next attack and when he spilled John McManus' shot in the greasy conditions, an alert Donal Smith was on hand to bury the rebound. Westmeath replied with a well-taken point from Dermot Judge and, with four minutes of normal time remaining, David McCormack lifted the spirits of the large Westmeath contingent in the crowd with a terrific point at the end of a rare sweeping move. However, Roscommon finished the half the stronger and a converted free from 30 metres from Donal Smith - again the award was very questionable - preceded the winners' first penalty kick in the opening minute of added-time, as a result of a Westmeath foot block offence. Smith's poorly-struck penalty was parried by Darren Brady and the penalty-taker flashed the rebound high over the crossbar. This left Roscommon ahead by four points at the break, on a scoreline of 1-4 to 0-3. Both sides came close to adding to their account in the early stages of the second half before the winners were awarded a second penalty kick in the fifth minute, apparently for a Westmeath defender handling the ball on the ground. A new kicker failed to hit the desired target also, Shane Jordan's effort flying high over the bar. The losers had ample possession at this juncture but were finding scores impossible to come by, although David Fennell came close to manufacturing what would have been a tremendous solo goal. However, outstanding Roscommon goalkeeper Matthew Whyte saved well and his side availed of this break to race instantly downfield, with Oliver Milton increasing their lead with a fine point. Already, Westmeath needed a goal and it almost came when Robbie Henshaw's '45' forced a goalmouth scramble which eventually led to a Roscommon free out, after Aidan Connaughton's fisted effort from close range ended with a foul on the goalkeeper. To their great credit, Westmeath never threw in the towel but some underhit shots and a number of wides (some very poor) added to their frustration. The lads in primrose and blue proved to be the more composed outfit when chances came their way, as exemplified by a superb finish from midfielder John McManus in the 23rd minute. Westmeath continued their vain attempts to eke out a goal but the winners' defence generally looked very much in control. In the last minute of normal time, substitute Adrian Gleeson kicked an opportunist point for the champions-elect. Almost two minutes into injury-time, Graham O'Connor's charges got the goal they craved but it was much too late to influence the outcome. A foul on David Fennell gave the same player the opportunity to display his composure from the spot with a top-class penalty. However, the final whistle was sounded straight from the kick-out and, while it was a fine achievement to reach the final of a six-team competition, the Westmeath lads will be all too aware that they never showed their true potential in the deciding match. ROSCOMMON: Matthew Whyte; David Brandon, David O'Dowd, Sean McDermott; Shane Carty, Conor Daly, Shane O'Malley; John McManus (0-1), Fintan Kelly; Ross Timothy; Caolain Fitzmaurice, Oliver Milton (0-1); Donal Smith (1-4, 0-3 frees), Shane Jordan (0-1pen), Fintan Sweeney. Subs: Adrian Gleeson (0-1) for Jordan (39 mins), Emmet Kenny for Timothy (53), Robert Beirne for Carty (57). WESTMEATH: Darren Brady; Cathal Reilly, Paul Maxwell, Joe Guiden; Adam Moore, Sean Deegan, James Ganley; Dean McNicholas, Dermot Judge (0-1); David McCormack (0-1), Aonghus Clarke, David Lynch; Paul Fennell (0-1, free), Robbie Henshaw, David Fennell (1-0pen). Subs: Sean Daly for McCormack (32 mins), Aidan Connaughton for Judge (39), Neal Kirby for Lynch (50), David McCormack for Clarke (55), David Lynch for P. Fennell (57). REFEREE: Brendan Sammon (Leitrim).