Westmeath cruise to victory over Wexford

GAA: O’Byrne Cup – Group A, Round 2

Westmeath 1-16, Wexford 0-6

Westmeath claimed their first victory of the 2023 football season with a comfortable win over Wexford in this O’Byrne Cup clash at The Downs today (Saturday).

Both sides went into this game having lost in the opening round the previous Wednesday night, with Westmeath narrowly losing out to Louth and Wexford defeated by Kildare.

Dessie Dolan fielded a much Westmeath stronger line-up than in the midweek encounter and the pedigree of their established players soon came to the fore.

Backed by the stiff wind in the first half, Westmeath led 1-10 to 0-4 at half-time, the 24th-minute goal coming from experienced wing-back James Dolan. A few minutes before the goal, the attack-minded Garrycastle man was very unlucky to crash a shot off the crossbar.

Ronan O’Toole, last year’s Tailteann Cup player of the year, contributed four points from play in the opening half, with John Heslin (three frees), the returning Shane Dempsey (two) and Lorcan Dolan supplying the remainder.

For a Wexford side that struggled with their kickouts into the teeth of the wind, midfielder Brian Molloy and roving full-forward Kevin O’Grady scored their first-half scores from play, with Dean O’Toole chipping in with two points from frees.

With both sides making plenty of substitutions, the game became very disjointed in the second half and Wexford never looked likely to mount a comeback.

Ronan O’Toole added to his tally with three frees, having taken over freetaking duties from the withdrawn Heslin. Debutant Matthew Whittaker (Tubberclair) and substitutes Senan Baker and Stephen Smith (brother of Jack) also got on the scoresheet for the winners. Brían Cooney, son of former Westmeath manager Jack, was another of the subs introduced.

Despite enjoying wind advantage in the second period, a limited Wexford outfit didn’t add to their tally until the 69th minute with a free from Daire Bolger. Substitute Sean Nolan also found the range for John Hegarty’s charges with a consolation score in stoppage time.

One note of concern for the winners was the injury which forced Jack Smith off, and the Westmeath camp will be hoping that the defender won’t be out of action for long.

Westmeath’s next outing is against Kildare in Kinnegad on Wednesday night (throw-in 8pm). Louth are now in pole position to advance from Group A, having edged out the Lilywhites in Newbridge today (0-14 to 1-10).

Scorers – Westmeath: R O’Toole 0-7 (3f); J Dolan 1-0; J Heslin 0-3 (3f); S Dempsey 0-2; L Dolan, S Baker, S Smith and M Whittaker 0-1 each. Wexford: D O’Toole 0-2 (2f); B Molloy, K O’Grady, S Nolan and D Bolger (f) 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, Jamie Gonoud; Nigel Harte, Ronan Wallace, James Dolan; Sam Duncan, Sam McCartan; Kevin O’Sullivan, Ronan O’Toole, Matthew Whittaker; Lorcan Dolan, John Heslin, Shane Dempsey. Subs used: Senan Baker for Heslin (h-t); Kieran Martin for L Dolan (48 mins); Sam Smyth for Maguire (48); Brían Cooney for O’Sullivan (54); David Giles for Smith (inj., 56); Jonathan Lynam for Duncan (60); Stephen Smith for O’Toole; Josh Gahan for Harte (60); Trevor Martin for Daly (63).

Wexford: Darragh Brooks; Liam O’Connor, Michael Furlong, Rioghan Crosbie; Gavin Sheehan, Paudi Hughes, Ryan Furlong; Niall Hughes, Brian Molloy; Conor Carty, Dean O’Toole, Cormac Cooney; Daire Bolger, Kevin O’Grady, Robbie Brooks. Subs used: Sean Nolan for O’Toole (h-t); Glen Malone for O’Grady (47 mins); Brian Cushe for O’Connor (48); Conor Kelly for Crosbie (59); Liam Doyle for R Furlong (59).

Referee: Kevin Williamson (Offaly).