Minor hurlers denied final place after brave display

Despite the tonic of scoring a goal after only 20 seconds, Westmeath's highly-vaunted minor hurling team was eliminated from the Leinster Championship by a physically stronger and slightly more skilful Dublin outfit in a pulsating provincial semi-final at Parnell Park last Saturday evening. A very large contingent of Lake County supporters made their way to Donnycarney for this eagerly-awaited contest against a county which has made giant strides in the small ball game in recent years. Many familiar faces were evident from earlier in the day in Casement Park, where Westmeath's senior footballers had exited the race for the Sam Maguire Cup very feebly. While a second defeat was the fate for maroon and white-clad fans in the quest to reach a first-ever Leinster minor hurling final, there is no denying that Ray Gavin's charges departed with their dignity and reputation intact. In a near-replica of the Leinster under-21 football final between the same counties at the same venue on Easter Sunday last year, the metropolitans struck for a late goal against the run of play to emerge victorious by a flattering margin - in last Saturday's case six points. Overall, however, it is only fair to report that the better team won in Parnell Park. The winners remain on course for a sensational provincial hurling triple-header, with Kilkenny their opposition in both of the showpiece minor and senior hurling deciders next Sunday. Conditions were ideal for hurling and a lively atmosphere prevailed when the referee threw in the sliotar at 7pm. A few latecomers at the turnstiles were still filtering through when a mighty roar greeted Niall O'Brien's terrific strike to the bottom corner of the net from 20 metres, following fine approach work by Cathal Scally and Neal Kirby. When a Scally free teed up Aonghus Clarke for a point some two minutes later, the visiting fans were in full voice. The respective number 13s, Cormac Costello and Niall O'Brien, then exchanged rapid-fire points, while Tommy Doyle's eye-catching defending epitomised the determination of this well-prepared Westmeath team. Paul Winters fired over a great point under pressure for the lads in sky blue and navy, before Aonghus Clarke was dispossessed as he tried to wriggle free to fire in a shot for a goal. At this juncture, Dublin began to dominate, particularly around the middle third of the pitch, a trend which continued for the remainder of the first moiety. Three unanswered points tied up the scoring by the midpoint of the half, the scores coming from Ciaran Kilkenny (two fine strikes) and Paul Winters (free). Westmeath regained the lead when Aonghus Clarke's 35-metre free went over via the upright, but Dublin equalised directly from the puck-out, wind-assisted Emmett " Conghaíle dissecting the posts at the scoreboard end of the ground. Cormac Costello then appeared to nudge the Dubs ahead but the umpire waved his shot wide, but there was no disputing the winners' next rapid-fire brace of points from Conor McHugh and Aodhán Clabby (thereby ensuring that all six of the Dublin forwards had already scored by the 20th minute). David Lynch and Paul Fennell both missed good scoring opportunities, while Cathal Scally's 65-metre free shaved the post on the wrong side from a Westmeath perspective. Significantly, Dublin added three further points before the break, all well-taken scores from Paul Winters, Emmett " Conghaíle and Conor McHugh. In injury-time, Aonghus Clarke was dispossessed as he bore down on goal, leaving the scoreboard at the interval reading: Dublin 0-11 Westmeath 1-3. With the wind in their backs, Westmeath were expected to take control on the change of ends, but it was the metropolitans who deservedly stretched their lead with three points in the opening six minutes, courtesy of Emmett " Conghaíle (a superb score under pressure), Aodhán Clabby (free) and Cormac Costello (a lovely score from 35 metres). Aonghus Clarke replied with a converted free from 50 metres, but wides followed from Cathal Scally (a monster free) and Niall O'Brien. However, Westmeath fans were on their feet again in the 41st minute when another huge free from Scally was added to from close range by David Higgins and the ball nestled in Cormac Ryan's net. Glenn Whelan responded with a terrific point, despite being surrounded by three opponents, but Westmeath were now all-out in their search for scores as history beckoned. Points from Niall O'Brien (whose shot for a goal from a 25-metre fee was deflected over the Dublin crossbar), David Lynch (again with a goal on his mind) and Aonghus Clarke, left the gap at two points with six minutes of normal time remaining. Either side of Dublin's next point from substitute Brian McCarthy, Aonghus Clarke and Joey Boyle were wide of the target. The Dubs wrapped up victory in the 60th minute. Emmett " Conghaíle won the ball despite three Westmeath men being favourites to emerge with the sliotar and the Lucan lad picked out substitute Oisín " Ruairc who duly dispatched a low shot under Cathal Scally, much to the delight of the hitherto-subdued home fans. Late attempts to manufacture a Westmeath goal came to nothing and it was a relieved Dublin side who were celebrating moments later. Westmeath now bow out of the race for meaningful silverware at this level, having defeated Carlow, Laois and Offaly and putting it right up to both Leinster finalists, Kilkenny and Dublin. As the management gathered this talented squad of players in a post-match huddle, the fervent hope of Lake County Gaels present was that we would see a lot more from these players in the maroon and white colours in the years ahead. Unfortunately, 2011 was a case of 'so near and yet so far' for Ray Gavin's gallant troops. DUBLIN: Cormac Ryan; Eric Lowndes, Cian O'Callaghan, Sean McClelland; Chris Crummy, Jamie Desmond, Matthew McCaffrey; Glenn Whelan (0-1), Colm Cronin; Ciaran Kilkenny (0-2), Conor McHugh (0-2), Emmett " Conghaíle (0-3); Cormac Costello (0-2), Aodhán Clabby (0-2, 1f), Paul Winters (0-3, 1f). Subs: Oisín " Ruairc (1-0) for Winters (h-t), Brian McCarthy (0-1) for Whelan (50 mins). WESTMEATH: Conor Lynch; Tommy Gallagher, Tommy Doyle, Liam Varley; David Fennell, Cathal Scally, Gary Greville; David Lynch (0-1), David McCormack; Robbie Greville, Aonghus Clarke (0-4, 2f), Paul Fennell; Niall O'Brien (1-2, 0-1f), David Higgins (1-0), Neal Kirby. Subs: Joey Boyle for R. Greville (35 mins), Kieran Glennon for McCormack (47). REFEREE: Paud O'Dwyer (Carlow).