Westmeath march on in style but tougher tests await

Tailteann Cup: Westmeath 3-26, Laois 1-15

Nobody said it was going to be so easy. Westmeath marched into the last eight of the Tailteann Cup with a far more comprehensive victory over Laois than anyone expected in their preliminary quarter-final at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday.

Victory has secured Westmeath of their place in the quarter-final and they travel to Aughrim on Sunday next to take on Wicklow (1.15pm) in what will be a tricky assignment - the Garden County having overcame the Maroons in last year's Leinster championship.

With Laois buoyed by victory over Offaly and Westmeath falling to a disappointing defeat at the hands of Limerick in the last round of group games, some home supporters had a degree of trepidation about this fixture. Yet Westmeath banished such fears with a resounding 17-point victory and the margin could have been greater, as the Laois goal was a mere crumb of consolation with the last kick of the game.

There were several positives from a Westmeath perspective and, as has been the case throughout the year, the attacking play from Dermot McCabe's charges was generally a joy to watch. There isn't space to describe all of Westmeath's 25 scores (including four two-pointers) on the day, but there was no shortage of highlight reel moments.

On a day when 11 different players got on the scoresheet, for once Luke Loughlin wasn't the scorer in chief, though he did supply the first goal from a penalty. The outstanding duo of Sam McCartan and Ronan Wallace contributed 1-13 between them, while Athlone's Shane Allen showed that he can be a valuable asset to the team. Sam Smyth underlined his potential in defence and Joseph Moran also showed that he has plenty to offer.

The nature of Westmeath's victory is all the more meritorious considering midfield ace Ray Connellan wasn't called upon amid concerns over a hamstring injury.

That said, realistic Westmeath supporters won't be getting carried away on the basis of this win. In truth, the challenge offered by Laois on the day was very poor. Once Matthew Whittaker scored Westmeath's third goal, the outcome looked inevitable and there was little intensity to the exchanges in the time remaining.

In a sense, winning a tight game - something Westmeath have been unable to do this season - might be considered more beneficial for the team's prospects in this competition. But as the old cliché suggests, you can only beat what is put in front of you and Westmeath did so with considerable aplomb.

There were four changes to Westmeath's published team, with Jack Geoghegan, Brian Guerin, Shane Allen and Robbie Forde drafted into the starting line-up.

Westmeath were assisted by a tricky, swirling breeze in the first half but despite a Nigel Harte point within moments of the throw-in, it took a while to open up genuine daylight. A fine left-footed point from the impressive Shane Allen was one of the early highlights, while Matthew Whittaker was unlucky to see his blistering shot crash off the crossbar.

But with Damon Larkin's point (punishing a Westmeath kickout that went awry) adding to a couple of frees from Ronan Coffey, Laois were only one point adrift inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Sam McCartan took the game by the scruff of the neck by landing a couple of two-pointers, pushing Westmeath's lead out to five (0-8 to 0-3) by the 18th minute. Niall Corbet got through the Westmeath defence rather easily to score a fisted point, but points from Kevin O'Sullivan and Wallace (following Allen's fine fetch at midfield) left the home side ahead by six.

Kevin Swayne, Brian Byrne and Pa Kirwan raised white flags to keep Laois in touch, but Loughlin's 33rd-minute goal from a penalty gave Westmeath a cushion they never looked like relinquishing. The penalty was awarded for a foul on Allen who headed for goal after Loughlin's neat lay-off.

The lively Stephen Smith increased Westmeath's lead with his second point and, following the sounding of the irritating hooter, the home side pounced for a crucial score. In a superb move involving McCartan, Loughlin and Whittaker, Wallace was able to palm the ball home from close range. That left Westmeath leading 2-12 to 0-7 at half-time and Laois had a mountain to climb.

The O'Moore County obviously needed a strong start to the second half, but instead Westmeath effectively wrapped up victory within seven minutes of the restart.

Wallace sent over two points and Loughlin hit a two-pointer from a free, before Matthew Whittaker struck for a superb goal. The Tubberclair player swerved past Laois substitute Michael Doran and impressive defender Trevor Collins (who did well in his marking role on Loughlin), before sweeping a low shot to the net. Whittaker's goal came moments after Patrick O’Sullivan of Laois was penalised for overcarrying in what was a marginal call.

In truth, it was now merely a case of what Westmeath's winning margin would be. Whittaker added a point to his goal and wing-back Joseph Moran raided forward to score a fisted point, having availed of McCartan's perceptive pass.

Coffey's point was merely temporary respite for Laois, as Westmeath scores followed from Wallace (a huge two-pointer), Forde (fisted over from a tricky angle) and sub Danny McCartan.

Pa Kirwan, along with Barry and Swayne, kept plugging away for Laois, with Kirwan scoring a point and earning a free which allowed goalkeeper Killian Roche to send over their only two-pointer. Considering the deficit they were facing, it was surprising that Laois didn't seek two-pointers more often and Justin McNulty's side never really looked like getting a goal until Jonah Kelly pounced in the dying moments.

McCartan's last two splendid points, having linked up with sub Shane Ormsby for the first and Loughlin for the second, were among the highlights for Westmeath in the closing stages.

With the hooter having already sounded, Loughlin looked to add another goal to Westmeath's considerable tally, but when he was foiled, Laois launched a counter attack which ended with Kelly finding the net despite a suspicion of steps. At that stage, however, Westmeath's thoughts had already turned to the quarter-final draw, which has set up a clash with Wicklow next Sunday in Aughrim (1.15pm).

Man of the match: Sam McCartan (Westmeath). A grandson of Galway legend Seán Purcell, McCartan was outstanding from start to finish and contributed eight points (including a brace of two-pointers). He edges out inspiring team captain Ronan Wallace who scored an eye-catching 1-5, while Shane Allen (a recent addition to the panel) was excellent in the first half.

Scorers - Westmeath: R Wallace 1-5 (1 tp); S McCartan 0-8 (2tp); L Loughlin 1-2 (1-0pen, tpf); M Whittaker 1-1; K O'Sullivan, R Forde (1f), S Smith (1f) 0-2 each; S Allen, N Harte, J Moran, D McCartan 0-1 each. Laois: J Kelly 1-0; R Coffey (2f), M Barry (3f) 0-3 each; P Kirwan, K Roche (tp) 0-2 each; K Swayne, N Corbet, B Byrne, D Larkin, C Lee 0-1 each.

Westmeath - Conor McCormack; Jamie Gonoud, Jack Geoghegan, Sam Smyth; Joseph Moran, Ronan Wallace, Matthew Whittaker; Shane Allen, Kevin O’Sullivan; Brian Guerin, Sam McCartan, Nigel Harte; Luke Loughlin, Stephen Smith, Robbie Forde. Subs: Danny Scahill for Gonoud (45 mins), Tadhg Baker for Guerin (46), Danny McCartan for Smith (46), Eoghan McCabe for Whittaker (53), Shane Ormsby for Wallace (60).

Laois - Killian Roche; Liam Knowles, Ben Dempsey, Trevor Collins; Pa Kirwan, Aaron McEvoy, Patrick O’Sullivan; Seamus Lacey, Damon Larkin; Ronan Coffey, Kevin Swayne, Conor Heffernan; Niall Corbet, Mark Barry, Brian Byrne. Subs: Michael Doran for McEvoy (H-T), Jake Darcy for Knowles (43 mins), Cathal Lee for Corbet (45), Jonah Kelly for Coffey (55), John Brennan for Heffernan (63).

Referee - Martin McNally (Monaghan).