Galway have too much power for brave Westmeath

Despite never looking like they might actually win the game, Westmeath's senior hurlers produced a terrific Leinster championship display for the second year running against a highly-vaunted Galway team in Cusack Park last Sunday afternoon, scoring a very creditable 4-12 in an entertaining contest, but ultimately losing out by a ten-point margin. The visitors fielded without their marquee forward Joe Canning, but they still racked up a very impressive 5-19 in nice conditions for hurling. In truth, this would have been significantly more if Shane McGovern had not been in top form between the sticks for the home side. At the other end, minor forwards Niall O'Brien and Robbie Greville both put in outstanding shifts, with the Castletown-Geoghegan lad accounting for 2-7 of his side's total. However, Anthony Cunningham's men (who opted to play with the wind in the first half blowing towards the Dunnes Stores end of the ground) always had a good bit in hand, albeit they will know that improvement will be required ahead of their semi-final clash with Offaly. After a minute's silence was observed for the recently-deceased Gaels, Kay O'Connell (Athlone) and Joe Deegan (Mullingar), a rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann by Katie McCarthy preceded the throw-in in front of an official attendance of 2,515 spectators. A brace of converted frees by Niall Burke had the Galway men (wearing white with a maroon trim) two points to the good by the fourth minute. Moate CS student Niall O'Brien halved the deficit from a 40-metre free in the sixth minute and was soon narrowly wide from a well-struck sideline cut. A terrific block by Joe Clarke was an indicator of Westmeath's spirit on the day, but Galway were dominant in most sectors and added three unanswered points by the quarter-hour mark via Conor Cooney and Niall Burke (two more frees, the second a great strike from near the sideline). Shane McGovern then produced the first of many fine saves when he kept out Cyril Donnellan's effort, following which Niall O'Brien converted his second free of the afternoon. Galway tacked on a further 1-4 by the 25th minute, the points from Conor Cooney, Niall Burke (two - the first from a '65' after Shane McGovern excelled in deflecting David Burke's shot, and the second a free) and a further 1-1 from recently-introduced sub, James Regan. The goal was clinically taken by Regan after he had shrugged aside Conor Jordan's challenge. Brendan Murtagh - who had a disappointing game overall by his lofty standards - struck his side's first point from play in the 25th minute, but three further points for the Tribesmen ensued via David Burke, Damien Hayes (a fabulous shot from an acute angle) and Iarla Tannian. A rare moment of indecision from Shane McGovern and a successful 40-metre free from Niall O'Brien wrapped up the action for the first half at the end of which Galway led convincingly by 1-12 to 0-4. After both sides hit a wide on the change of ends, Galway pounced for their second goal in the 38th minute, David Burke finding the net after good approach play by Andy Smith and Damien Hayes. Sandwiched between two top-class frees by Niall O'Brien, Shane McGovern effected a great save from David Burke at the expense of an unconverted '65'. Great work by Robbie Greville soon teed up Joe Clarke who found the net with aplomb, but the winners replied instantly with a goal of their own from David Burke. Niall O'Brien pounced for his first three-pointer in the 48th minute, after Fergal Flannery kept out Brendan Murtagh's initial effort. The scores continued to come thick and fast with Galway adding 1-2 via Niall Burke (a point from a '65'), Cyril Donnellan (an opportunist goal) and James Regan (a neat point). The sides then traded four points - John Shaw (who had endured a quiet afternoon) and Paul Greville (a marvellous score) on target for the men in maroon and white, while Cyril Donnellan and Iarla Tannain (a fine solo effort) pointed for Galway. Niall O'Brien added a point from a free but Andy Smith replied with a clinically-taken goal. A haul of 2-1 between the 61st and 63rd minutes lifted the home crowd. Niall O'Brien got a touch to a delivery by Eoin Price (who had a fine second half) and Brendan Murtagh also found the net with a trademark 20-metre free, either side of a fabulous point from Eoin Price. Niall Burke and Niall O'Brien exchanged points from frees before Brendan Murtagh was unsuccessful twice in attempts to garner goals (the first from a free). In added-time, a point apiece from Andy Smith and Damien Hayes rounded off Galway's scoring before substitute David Fennell hit the 40th and last score of an absorbing encounter. Scorers - Galway: N Burke 0-8 (6f, 0-2 '65s), D Burke 2-1, J Regan 1-2, A Smith and C Donnellan 1-1 each, C Cooney, I Tannian and D Hayes 0-2 each. Westmeath: N O'Brien 2-7 (0-7f), B Murtagh 1-1 (1-0f), J Clarke 1-0, J Shaw, E Price, P Greville and D Fennell 0-1 each. Galway: Fergal Flannery; Fergal Moore, Kevin Hynes, Niall Donoghue; Paul Gordon, Tony "g Regan, Johnny Coen; Iarla Tannian, David Burke; Andy Smith, Niall Burke, Cyril Donnellan; Davy Glennon, Conor Cooney, Damien Hayes. Subs used: James Regan for Glennon (20), Jonathan Glynn for Cooney (50), Brian Flaherty for Gordon (53), Richie Cummins for Donnellan (60), Padraig Brehony for N. Burke (70). Westmeath: Shane McGovern; Conor Jordan, Adam Price, Paul Fennell; Paddy Dowdall, Alan McGrath, Paul Greville; Aonghus Clarke, Joe Clarke; Brendan Murtagh, Frank Boyle, Robbie Greville; Niall O'Brien, John Shaw, Eoin Price. Subs used: John Gilligan for Boyle (inj. h/t), David Fennell for J. Clarke (60), Tommy Gallagher for Jordan (68). Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary).