Loughlin's scoring exploits helps minor hurlers deny Antrim

Westmeath 1-27, Antrim 2-14

On a day when you could make legitimate claims that summer arrived given the glorious sunshine, Westmeath’s minor hurlers were radiant when the need arose as they overcame a physically stronger Antrim side in the Leinster MHC at TEG Cusack Park.

To win, scoring 1-27, is a definite boost and Westmeath can take the positives as they build towards a stiffer test against Offaly next weekend. Despite being out-muscled at times, the Lake County’s work rate and application shone through as they led by 1-13 to 1-7 at half-time before scoring 14 points in the second half to record a decisive victory.

Yes Westmeath could have been more ruthless, but Antrim competed very well on the day and also missed goals, so in terms of the solid test that was required after facile wins over Wicklow and Meath, this was the right game for Ian Corrigan’s side. The one negative was a red card for corner back Aaron Flanagan in the second half and afterwards Corrigan indicated that Westmeath would seek a hearing on the incident, so perhaps all is not yet lost in that regard.

Westmeath struggled in the opening quarter and Antrim got in for a goal after five minutes to take a lead that they held for a period. Midfielder Thomas McLaughlin applied the telling finish after the ball came to him following a tussle for possession.

Westmeath were made to work and they beavered impressively in the warm conditions: wing forward Dylan Corrigan was impressive at times, as was Eoin Meehan on the opposite wing and the pair landed some fine points. Cathal Óg Fagan saved to deny Frank Kane a second Antrim goal on 15 minutes before Meehan, the excellent Cormac McKeogh and the talented Kian Loughlin (free) brought Westmeath level with three fine points.

It was tit for tat then as Westmeath got level again through McKeogh in the 23rd minute and at this stage the pretty solid Antrim defence was eventually breached. Corrigan and Padraig Casey combined before the ball was fed to Ryan Williams, whose weak effort was saved; the follow-up was netted by Casey, though.

Westmeath never really looked back as they went four clear through a quality free by Loughlin: Williams missed a goal chance when Sean Hayes’ effort came down off the upright on 27 minutes. McKeogh and Ben McNamee exchanged passes before the former shot over a quality point to leave the home side in a nice position at the interval.

GOOD SAVE

Antrim refused to fold up the tent and came out for the second half fired up. They brought intensity as they hit the home side for a second major on 40 minutes - Westmeath ‘keeper Fagan looking totally perplexed as McLaughlin shot to the top corner. That left it 1-17 to 2-12 and it was certainly a case of ‘game on’ again with 20 minutes to play.

Westmeath got five unanswered points at this juncture - McKeogh, (two), Williams and Loughlin (two frees) each on target. McKeogh’s second came when the umpires were overruled in what was a contentious moment.

Antrim still didn’t capitulate, but the game was over now as Westmeath led by 1-22 to 2-12 and showed they had the wherewithal to respond to their opponents’ every effort. Fagan made a good save to deny Oisín McCallin a goal on 51 minutes, another let-off for the home side.

Corrigan’s men were six clear when a low shot by Antrim wing back Colla Ward was saved by Fagan and eventually the ball was taken clear by Mikey Weir: Westmeath countered for McKeogh to earn a free for a cynical challenge and Loughlin duly pointed. That was the moment when the outcome was put beyond any reasonable doubt.

Loughlin hit a truly sublime point from an acute angle near the sideline, before centre back Sean Hayes struck an inspirational score as Westmeath pushed 1-26 to 2-13 clear: a 10-point lead that they held until the final whistle.

Another key moment came after 43 minutes when Antrim had a good goal chance with four points separating the sides (1-19 to 2-12): Conor Donnelly sent Fiontan Bradley clear; he should have squared the ball to an unmarked Kane, but instead went for goal only for Sean Hayes to make a terrific block. The chance ended with Donnelly shooting wide of the target and Westmeath survived.

That was the general trend - the Lake County strong enough to fend off their opponents in those key moments and then having the quality to respond at telling stages after Antrim threatened to build momentum.

Westmeath deserve credit, but there’s work to be done and further improvement needed if they are to beat Offaly next weekend.

Scorers - Westmeath: K Loughlin 0-12 (11f), C McKeogh 0-5, E Meehan 0-4, P Casey

1-0, R Williams 0-2, S Hayes, C Ward, F Higgins, D Corrigan 0-1 each.

Antrim: F Bradley 0-9 (6f, 1'65'), T McLaughlin 2-2, C Mooney, O McCallin, R Taylor 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Cathal Óg Fagan; Dara Mulligan, Mikey Weir, Aaron Flanagan; Ben McNamee, Sean Hayes, Darragh Kenny; Cody Ward, Finn Higgins; Dylan Corrigan, Padraig Casey, Eoin Meehan; Kian Loughlin, Cormac McKeogh, Ryan Williams. Subs: Marc Davis for Casey (37), Oisín McCauley for Ward (42), Luke Meyler for Williams (56), Cian Fleming for Loughlin (60+1).

Antrim: Seán Óg McLaren; Lorcan McCallin, Dylan McLarnon, Aodhan Campbell; Colla Ward, Callagh Mooney, Ryan O'Boyle; Niall McClean, Thomas McLaughlin; Fiontan Bradley, Liam McEnhill, Conor Donnelly; Oisín McCallin, Frank Kane, Ronan Taylor. Subs: Eddie Smyth for O'Boyle (h-t), Conan Johnson for McEnhill (47), Ashdon McGarry for Campbell (60).

Ref: Rory Hanley (Dublin).

Examiner's Eye on the game

Man of The Match

Cormac McKeogh (Westmeath): A few candidates here. It’s difficult not to plump for Kian Loughlin, who scored some great points in a 0-12 haul, but Cormac McKeogh was generally excellent and gets the verdict. Eoin Meehan impressed, too, while Sean Hayes looks like a player with potential also and he was always solid at centre back. His great block denied Fiontan Bradley on 43 minutes and his terrific point coming on to the ball in the 56th minute showed another important side to his game.

Score of the match

Kian Loughlin scored an outrageous point from the stand side of TEG Cusack Park after 54 minutes to make it 1-24 to 2-13 in Westmeath’s favour.

Match officials

A good job overall and the over-carrying calls were generally correct, if marginal, but the referee’s judgement wasn’t always on the money. He gave both sides easy frees at times. The Cormac McKeogh point that was given is just that - a talking point: how could the umpires be overruled? If they weren’t sure, why signal a wide? If they were certain, the other officials should have trusted their call.

Next up

Westmeath play Offaly on Saturday in Offaly GAA’s centre of excellence (Faithful Fields).