Hurlers return to top tier as Glennon and Doyle sparkle

Allianz National Hurling League Division 2A final: Westmeath 5-19, Down 1-17

Former Galway hurler Davy Glennon stood out with a sublime hat-trick, as Westmeath made little of Down’s much vaunted challenge with a resounding victory in today’s Allianz NHL Division 2A final.

Down had the better of the opening exchanges in Semple Stadium, Thurles, leading by two (0-5 to 0-3) before Glennon rifled home a great goal for the Lake County on 18 minutes.

From there, Joe Fortune’s charges – who were without the services of Aonghus Clarke – gained the momentum, outscoring Down 0-7 to 0-1 with Raharney’s Killian Doyle, the Westmeath captain, leading the way from both dead balls and open play.

Westmeath led 1-10 to 0-8 at the break, and tagged on a further 1-4 after the restart, with Doyle finding the net after 42 minutes. The Maroons were now well on course for victory.

A handsome lead turned into a rout with goals from Glennon (his second) and Cormac Boyle, and while Down took the dirty look off the scoreline with a late Chris Egan goal, Glennon had the last say by completing his hat-trick in added time.

Scorers – Westmeath: K Doyle 1-11 (0-7f), D Glennon 3-1, J Boyle 0-4, C Boyle 1-0, D McNicholas, E Keyes and N O’Brien 0-1 each. Down: P Sheehan (1f, 1 ‘65’) and R McCusker 0-4 each, C Egan 1-0, P Óg McCrickard 0-2, M Conlon, J McManus, T Murray, C Woods (free), D Sands, E Sands and T McGrattan 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Conor Shaw, Jack Galvin; Aaron Craig (Tommy Gallagher 56), Tommy Doyle, Robbie Greville; Cormac Boyle, Kevin Regan (Johnny Bermingham 67); Davy Glennon, Joey Boyle, Killian Doyle; Eoin Keyes (Niall O’Brien 45), Niall Mitchell (Darragh Clinton 65), Derek McNicholas (Jack Gillen 56).

Down: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlon, John McManus, Michael Hughes (Declan McCartney 58); Tom Murray, Conor Woods, Caolan Teggart (Niall McPartland 70 + 2); Pearse Óg McCrickard, Liam Savage; Ryan McCusker, Paul Sheehan (Barry Trainor 56), Marc Fisher (Chris Egan 42); Daithí Sands, Eoghan Sands, Oisín McManus (Tom McGrattan 44).

Ref: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary).