Wasteful Westmeath bow out to slicker Derry side

A spirited Westmeath side exited the race for the Sam Maguire Cup at rain-soaked Cusack Park in the second round of the All-Ireland senior football championship qualifiers on Saturday afternoon last, when a more economical and physically stronger Derry side emerged with a hard-fought three-point victory in front of 2,256 spectators. Constant driving rain made for slippery underfoot conditions and match referee Michael Duffy made very few allowances for the weather, issuing no less than 13 yellow cards (five to Westmeath) and one red (to Derry) throughout what was never a remotely dirty encounter. Despite being short a couple of their high-profile regulars, the Oak Leaf men coped better with the conditions, despite Westmeath's dogged display. The visitors led by six points when a typically-opportunist goal from substitute Martin Flanagan in the 48th minute looked as if it might drive the home side to an unexpected win. However, the losers continued the ploy of trying to feed Flanagan on the edge of the square for the remainder of the game, but to no avail. Despite Joe Diver getting his marching orders for a second yellow card in the 53rd minute, Westmeath were unable to make the most of the extra man. Callum McCormack and Michael Ennis both came close to finding the net, but Westmeath were wasteful overall, with Flanagan unable to convert any of three second-half '45's and the Lake County troops failing to score in the last ten minutes, despite virtually owning the ball. In the end, Damien Cassidy's men deserved their narrow win, even if Pat Flanagan's charges could have shaded the contest despite a number of key players operating well below their best, similarly to the recent Leinster semi-final defeat by Louth. After Emmet Cahill's rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann, home fans were intrigued to see ace forward Denis Glennon positioned at centrefield beside David Duffy. In truth, the Tyrrrellspass man did not look at ease in the role and eventually moved further forward but, for the second successive game, failed to contribute significantly to the Westmeath cause. The other marquee attacker in maroon and white, Des Dolan started the game very brightly when he whipped over a great second-minute point from 35 metres, after taking Paul Greville's pass. The latter player, who like Glennon failed to make the scoresheet on Saturday, then shot tamely into Barry Gillis' hands in his first attempt at goal. In the fifth minute, Mark Lynch levelled the contest from a 35-metre free and the men in red and white soon went in front, Joe Diver feeding Eoin Bradley, who duly skipped past Kevin Maguire before pointing neatly. Francis Boyle, who maintained his fine championship form on Saturday, showed up well in defence, but overall the Derry forwards were beginning to get the better of their direct opponents. The hard-working Paul Bannon equalised for the Lake County in the tenth minute, slotting over a great point from nearly 40 metres, after taking Des Dolan's pass. James Kielt tapped over a free after Eoin Bradley was impeded, but Paul Greville was unable to replicate this at the other end, albeit from a much more difficult position. Yellow cards were being dished out very easily at this juncture, but two of Westmeath's long-serving players set the example for their younger colleagues with a point apiece - Des Dolan rifling over a tricky free and energetic team captain Michael Ennis hitting a terrific point, after a somewhat laboured build-up. In the 24th minute, the teams were level again, outstanding full forward Mark Lynch doing well to shoot a left-footed point via the upright, despite being pressurised by John Gaffey. A minute later, Derry took a lead they would never relinquish, James Kielt slotting over a difficult free from the 45-metre line. Gary Connaughton did very well to fist clear Enda Muldoon's long delivery, but ace marksmen James Kielt and Mark Lynch tacked on a fine score each to extend Derry's lead, sandwiched between which Des Dolan had to retire briefly with a blood injury. Great fielding by David Duffy was spoiled when the ball was spilled and John Keane, despite looking uncomfortable with a heavily-strapped leg, showed great awareness to intercept a potentially-dangerous Derry attack. Mark Lynch extended the Oak Leaf men's lead to four points with two minutes of normal time remaining, but David Duffy took Kieran Martin's pass and pounced for an inspirational point deep into added-time to leave the scoreboard at the interval reading: Derry 0-8 Westmeath 0-5. Home fans were not pleased to see their heroes returning after the break without two-time All-Star John Keane, necessitating a reshuffle with Kieran Martin returning to the centre half back position he had manned against Wicklow and Louth. Mark Lynch increased Derry's lead with a delightful free from 30 metres, before Martin Flanagan was wide from a '45' at the other end. The Tyrrellspass veteran then displayed some of his sublime skills in a move which ended with Paul Greville's goalbound shot being blocked by a combination of goalkeeper Barry Gillis and full back Kevin McGuckin. James Kielt rifled over another great free for the winners in the seventh minute and when Raymond Wilkinson defied the elements to shoot a wonderful point on the run, the gap was now six points in Derry's favour. David Duffy was becoming more involved for the losers at midfield and Westmeath's spirit was rewarded when Paul Greville's high delivery was added to in the air by Martin Flanagan and the ball flew past Barry Gillis via the underside of the crossbar. Flanagan was soon wide from another '45' and he was involved again when he came close to diverting David Duffy's free goalward. At the midpoint of the second moiety, Joe Diver was dismissed on a second yellow card after a foul on David Duffy. The ploy of aiming long balls in Martin Flanagan's direction continued, but the inaccuracy of the deliveries and the greasy conditions meant that no tangible reward ensued. Des Dolan and James Kielt traded points from frees and the former player soon chipped in with his fourth point of the contest, firing over a great score after initially doing well to keep a less-than-inch-perfect crossfield pass from Callum McCormack in play. The latter player was presented with a goal chance in the 28th minute after Ger Egan set up his fellow under-21 star, but two Derry defenders combined to smother the Maryland man's effort at the expense of a '45', which was underhit by Martin Flanagan, who followed up with a wide from play from a good position. With three minutes of normal time remaining, Michael Ennis got a touch to Des Dolan's high ball, but the Ballinagore man's brave effort went narrowly wide. There was no shortage of heart or commitment in the losers' play in the closing stages, but an inevitable Derry counterattack yielded an insurance score from Eoin Bradley, who pointed with aplomb, even if there was a suspicion that he took too many steps. A series of late attacks failed to garner an equalising goal for the men in maroon and white and it was a relieved Derry outfit who celebrated at the final whistle having gained a place in the drum for the third round of the 'back door' (where they drew Kildare on Sunday evening). The interim reign of manager Pat Flanagan has now come to an end, but after a fine win over Wicklow, followed by narrow and dignified losses to Louth and Derry, the Clara man will be hopeful of remaining in charge for 2011. Given the dire situation he inherited less than three months ago, Flanagan has done a decent job, with Louth's heroic display against Meath retrospectively gaining him more brownie points. While the short-term prospects are somewhat worrying, given the age profile of many battle-hardened players and the lack of experience and physique of many of the next generation, it has to be stated that a large degree of pride has been restored to the Hilamar Hotel jersey in recent months. Derry: Barry Gillis; Brian "g McAlary, Kevin McGuckin, Dermot McBride; Mark Craig, Gerard O'Kane (capt), Charlie Kielt; Joe Diver, Enda Muldoon; Cathal McKeever, James Kielt (0-5, 0-4 from frees), Barry McGoldrick; Eoin Bradley (0-2), Mark Lynch (0-5, 0-3 from frees), Raymond Wilkinson (0-1). Subs: Declan Mullan (for O'Kane, inj, 17 mins), Seán Leo McGoldrick (for McKeever, 52 mins), Barry McGuigan (for Mullan, 68 mins). Westmeath: Gary Connaughton; Francis Boyle, John Gaffey, Kevin Maguire; Michael Ennis (capt) (0-1), John Keane, Doran Harte; David Duffy (0-1), Denis Glennon; Paul Bannon (0-1), Kieran Martin, Ger Egan; Paul Greville, Des Dolan (0-4, 0-2 from frees), Conor Lynam. Subs: Martin Flanagan (1-0) (for Lynam, 35 + 1 mins), Callum McCormack (for Keane, inj, half-time), Donal O' Donoghue (for Maguire, 61 mins), Ian Coffey (for Egan, 67 mins). Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligo)