Connellan injury and goals crucial as Kildare edge out Westmeath
Kildare 2-17 Westmeath 0-21
Déjà vu all over again. That must have been the feeling of Westmeath supporters in Newbridge last Saturday night as their team fell to yet another narrow defeat in a thrilling contest as Kildare did just enough to advance to the Leinster semi-finals.
After a league campaign which saw Westmeath suffer a series of such defeats, this was another bitter pill to swallow, with the loss of outstanding midfielder Ray Connellan and the two Kildare goals proving crucial to the outcome. The issuing of a black card to defender Nigel Harte in the 60th minute was another setback for Westmeath to contend with.
Westmeath once again played some excellent football going forward, scoring a total of 0-21. Luke Loughlin must be wondering what he has to do to finish on the winning side this year. He finished with a tally of eleven points and the Kildare defence was unable to curb his threat throughout. Indeed, Loughlin and Connellan (during his time on the pitch) again showed that they are now among the leading players in the country in their respective positions.
From the perspective of neutral supporters, Westmeath games have been providing fantastic entertainment this year, but the eventual results are difficult to digest for those of a maroon and white persuasion. The result means no wins in eight competitive games in 2025 and the Tailteann Cup - a competition Westmeath won in its inaugural year (2022)- now beckons. Kildare will face Louth in their Leinster semi-final on Sunday, April 27.
There was a wonderful atmosphere at the recently refurbished Cedral St Conleth's Park on an occasion which again proved that these games are more suited to provincial venues than a sparsely populated Croke Park. Before the action got underway, a presentation was made to former Kildare player Karl O'Dwyer, son of the late Mick O'Dwyer, the legendary Kerryman who twice guided the Lilywhites to Leinster success. Fittingly, there was a standing ovation from supporters of both sides
Man of the match: Luke Loughlin (Westmeath). Based on the first half alone, the outstanding Ray Connellan was a contender but over the course of the 70 odd minutes, Loughlin was the best player on the pitch. The Downs attacker's 11-point haul included three off his less favoured right foot and a brace of two-pointers (one a free). David Hyland was chosen for the official award but in the view of this observer, Alex Beirne was Kildare's most impressive player on the night.
Scorers - Kildare: A Beirne 1-5 (0-3 frees); D Hyland 1-2 (1 tp); R Sinkey, B McLoughlin (tp) and B McCormack 0-2 each; D Kirwan, C Bolton, N Kelly, T Gill 0-1 each. Westmeath: L Loughlin 0-11 (1 tp, 1 tpf, 2f); D McCartan 0-3; R Forde 0-2; R Connellan, S McCartan, K O'Sullivan, B Cooney, J Gonoud 0-1 each.
Kildare - Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mark Dempsey, Brian Byrne; Kevin Flynn, David Hyland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton; Colm Dalton, Alex Beirne, Ben McCormack; Ryan Sinkey, Darragh Kirwan, Brian McLoughlin. Subs used: Ryan Burke for O'Neill (injured, 14 mins); Tommy Gill for Flynn (32); Niall Kelly for McLoughlin (52); Cathal Hagney for Feely (temp. sub, 61-63); Mick O'Grady for Dempsey (68).
Westmeath - Conor McCormack; Jamie Gonoud, David Giles, Conor Dillon; Nigel Harte, Ronan Wallace, Sam McCartan; Ray Connellan, Fionn O'Hara; Kevin O'Sullivan, Danny McCartan, Matthew Whittaker; Robbie Forde, Luke Loughlin, Brían Cooney. Subs used: Brian Guerin for Connellan (inj., 38); Jonathan Lynam for D McCartan (52); Eoghan McCabe for O'Sullivan (59); Brandon Kelly for Cooney (59); Kieran Martin for Forde (65).
Referee - David Gough (Meath).
*See more in this week's paper.