Fine effort by resurgent Westmeath U20 hurlers
Offaly 2-22
Westmeath 1-17
A spirited Westmeath display saw them provide a solid test for firm favourites Offaly, in the Leinster U20 Hurling Championship, at O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday.
With five of the team that contested last year's All-Ireland minor final (Brecon Kavanagh, Dan Ravenhill, Shane Rigney, Conor Doyle and Adam Screeney), Offaly were hotly fancied and they looked in complete control when leading by 2-18 to 0-9 after 36 minutes, but Westmeath refused to capitulate. Andrew Dermody's resurgent charges, inspired by the excellent David Williams, scored 1-8 in the remaining 28 minutes (including added time) and were often just one pass away from breaching the opposing cover for second goal which would have made for an intriguing finish.
David O'Reilly sent midfielder Mark Cunningham clear for a goal in the 40th minute and the visitors seemed to grow in confidence: they had all the momentum as the final quarter unfolded.
The gap was back to six points (2-20 to 1-17) with five minutes of normal time remaining and Williams was denied what looked an obvious free on 51 minutes, while Brian McGrath had his goal-bound shot well blocked by Offaly defender James Mahon three minutes later. Williams was then denied a major from a 20-metre free. Certainly, a Westmeath goal at that juncture would have been a massive score but it didn't materialise and instead the outstanding Adam Screeney eased Offaly nerves with two late frees.
However, the home side scored just a point from play in the final 28 minutes which will concern them slightly, but it also underlines the level of work rate and intensity Westmeath brought during the second half.
Indeed, had the Lake County not fallen asleep, defensively, for the second Offaly goal after 35 minutes, this would have been a tighter affair: Offaly were quick to spot to the chance as the quick-thinking Screeney played a short free to Charlie Mitchell, whose low strike from 20 metres found the bottom corner. Westmeath ought to have been more vigilant, but it was excellent ingenuity on Offaly's part.
The first half saw Offaly dominate and they laid the platform for victory, leading by 1-13 to 0-8 at the interval. They produced a fine start as Mitchell swooped for the first goal after nine minutes - his low strike from the edge of the square beating Sean Jackson, after a cross-field delivery. The Westmeath defence will be disappointed with how they failed to deal with the delivery.
Williams shot 0-10 from frees in a fine display, while Peter Clarke really impressed at midfield and Cunningham contributed greatly. Wing back Cian McCarthy showed his strength in the air at times. Perhaps Westmeath could have opted to move Jamie Mulkearns further out from full back when they had all the momentum in the closing quarter, but overall they will be pleased with how the second half panned out and it gives them something solid to build on ahead of a home game against Antrim next Saturday.
SCORERS - Offaly: Adam Screeney 0-11 (11f), Charlie Mitchell 2-2, Cathal King, Dan Ravenhill, Shane Rigney and Conor Doyle 0-2 each, Sam Bourke 0-1.
Westmeath: David Williams 0-10 (10f), Mark Cunningham 1-2, David O'Reilly 0-2, Cian McCarthy, Peter Clarke, Eamonn Cunneen 0-1 each.
OFFALY - Mark Troy; Patrick Taaffe, Ben Miller, Ruari Kelly; Luke Watkins, Brecon Kavanagh, Sam Bourke; Cathal King, Dan Ravenhill; Shane Rigney, Joe Hoctor, Conor Doyle; Dan Bourke, Charlie Mitchell, Adam Screeney. Subs: James Mahon for Kelly, inj. (4), Ruari Dunne for Watkins (43), Leigh Kavanagh for Ravenhill (45), Colin Spain for Hoctor (53), Barry Egan for Rigney (60).
WESTMEATH - Sean Jackson; David Maloney, Jamie Mulkearns, Conor Gaffney; Mikey Lynam, Rian Holding, Cian McCarthy; Peter Clarke, Mark Cunningham; David O'Reilly, Eamonn Cunneen, Michael Doherty; Brian McGrath, David Williams, Peter Murphy. Subs: Josh Murtagh for Cunneen (39), David Weir for Holding (43), David Aughey for Murphy (45), Oisín Murray for Doherty (58), Oisín Loughlin for McCarthy (59).
REFEREE – Conor Daly (kildare).