Depleted Westmeath on receiving end of Royal rout

Westmeath crossed the border to cross swords with the old foe on Bank Holiday Monday, and for Pat Flanagan's charges, the result had the same effect as the side's NFL Division 2 meeting earlier this year: misery, in the shadow of that green and gold jersey. Even though Westmeath were depleted on the day, the comprehensive nature of the defeat is a setback ahead of Sunday week's Leinster championship showdown against Louth in Navan. Dessie Dolan was not involved on the day, increasing fears that he will and may have played his last inter-county game for Westmeath. Kieran Gavin, John Heslin, Paul Sharry, Denis Glennon and Paul Bannon were also notable absentees on the day. The focus was very much on the return from America of Meath's Joe Sheridan, as he took his place against a shadow Lake County outfit who bore little resemble to the team that will start the Leinster championship against the Wee County on May 20. It was a case of from Boston to Boardsmill as Sheridan made his expected return to the Meath fold when he lined out at his familiar full-forward position for the game against Westmeath at Boardsmill on Monday afternoon. Clearly eager to impress, the Seneschalstown man left his imprint on the afternoon notching up 2-2 and generally making his presence felt. Sheridan hit both his goals in the second half, the first from close range after a fine incisive move involving Eoghan Harrington and Peadar Byrne. The latter fed the ball to Brian Farrell, who in turn set up Sheridan. The second goal arrived shortly afterwards, this time Stephen Bray crossing for Sheridan to punch home at the far post. Sheridan also missed a first-half penalty driving the ball low and hard the wrong side of the post, after Peadar Byrne was hauled down on his way through by Daniel McDermott. Sheridan was eventually replaced by Damien Carroll as the game moved into the closing stages. This was all about experimenting as far as Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan was concerned, although Seamus McEnaney took a different approach and fielded a strong starting 15. It was hardly surprising given the disparity in the strengths of the side that the home selection took a firm stranglehold on the game with Farrell netting the first goal of the afternoon after just three minutes. Westmeath's opening score came in the fifth from James Dolan and they didn't score again until the 34th minute, through Michael Ennis. At the interval Meath led 2-6 to 0-3, and while Westmeath upped their display in the second half, there was never any question of the home side being caught. Nine Meath players got on the scoresheet as they moved through the gears. Alan Giles was Westmeath's main score-getter capping an enterprising display with four points (three frees), while substitute Michael Curley also shot over. Both sides made a bewildering number of substitutions as they sought to give players a run out, but there was never any doubt about who was going to claim the bragging rights - such as they were. Meath: David Gallagher; Gary O'Brien, Bryan Menton (0-2), Kevin Reilly; Chris O'Connor, Eoghan Harrington, Seamus Kenny (0-1); Peadar Byrne (1-1), Conor Gillespie; Damien Carroll (0-1), Eoin Reilly (0-1), Alan Forde (0-1); Graham Reilly, Joe Sheridan (2-2), Brian Farrell (1-2, 0-1f). Subs used: Cian Ward (0-1) for Forde, Jamie Queeney (0-2) for Carroll, Mickey Burke for K Reilly, A Forde for Gillespie, Stephen Bray for B Farrell; B Farrell for Bray (inj.) Westmeath: Darren Quinn; Mark McCallon, Kieran Sheridan, Tommy Warburton; Doron Harte, Michael Ennis (0-1), Daniel McDermott; Alan Stone, David Gavin; Philip Sheridan, Trevor English, James Dolan (0-1); John Egan, Alan Giles (0-4, 3f), Callum McCormack (0-1). Subs used: Ronan Foley for Sheridan, David Glennon for English, Kieran Martin for Egan, Kevin Maguire for McCallon, Micheal Curley (0-1) for Ennis, Ben Moran for Warburton, Ger Egan for Stone, John Gaffey. Referee: Paul Neill (Louth).