Rampant Wexford sweep Westmeath aside

No defence, no chance. Those four words pretty much sum up Westmeath's feeble display in this Leinster SFC quarter-final as Wexford cantered to a 12-point victory at Wexford Park last Saturday. Trailing by six points (1-12 to 0-9) at half-time, despite having played with the wind, Westmeath were in dire need of a forceful start to the second half. But Westmeath's meek response was highly disappointing as Wexford outscored the visitors by 0-9 to 0-1 in the opening 20 minutes of the second period. When Wexford went into a 14-point lead in the 54th minute (1-21 to 0-10), it looked like an annihilation similar to the 2009 defeat to Dublin could be on the cards. Ultimately, Westmeath avoided such a fate but nobody needs reminding that this humbling defeat was at the hands of a fellow Division 3 team, and not a team expected to challenge for the Sam Maguire Cup in September. Westmeath have been criticised for being too defensive in recent years, so it was ironic that the lack of a clear defensive strategy cost them dearly in this game. Indeed, Westmeath lacked any discernible game-plan, whereas Wexford had a far more coherent system of play which exploited Westmeath's defensive frailties. Offaly were criticised in some quarters for not employing a 'sweeper' in their opening round defeat to Wexford. Having seen Wexford register a tally of 2-16 in that game, Westmeath adopted a similarly naive approach, and the end result was similar too. The outstanding Ciarán Lyng finished with ten points (seven from play), Redmond Barry scored 1-3, while the exciting Ben Brosnan contributed seven points (five frees) in addition to creating several scoring chances. The concession of an early goal - Barry the scorer inside the opening half minute - left wind-assisted Westmeath playing catch-up in the first half. Dessie Dolan and Denis Glennon - who scored 11 points between the team - were the only starting Westmeath players to really perform on the day. Substitute John Heslin made a notable impression when introduced, making a number of fine fetches at midfield and scoring a tremendous point. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but surely he should have been started? The pre-match doubts about the Westmeath defence were borne out in the starkest terms. With no sweeper in place and Kieran Martin struggling at centre half-back, the full-back line had little protection and, with Francis Boyle and Kieran Gavin way below par, Wexford really exploited these deficiencies. With a number of key defenders having left the scene since last year, the Westmeath defence has become a huge source of concern. There is a lack of specialist corner-backs in the panel, and this game proved that the No 6 position remains a major problem. The youthful midfield pairing of Darragh Daly and Denis Corroon were both making their first senior championship starts and this game proved a steep learning curve. Westmeath actually won a slightly greater share of the kick-outs in the first half (15 to 13), but a hard-working Wexford outfit were very strong in the tackle and forced numerous turnovers, which they used to ruthlessly exploit the Westmeath defence. Centre-forward David Glennon created some scoring chances by delivering some good ball inside early on, but he faded completely as the game wore on. Wing-forwards Paul Sharry and Conor Lynam were both anonymous on the day, while Paul Greville failed to show the form he is capable of. On a lovely summer evening in Wexford, the attendance was estimated at about 17,000 by Wexford GAA officials by the start of the second game, the Leinster SHC semi-final between Wexford and Kilkenny. The man in the middle for the curtain-raiser was Armagh's Padraig Hughes, a replacement for Ballymahon native Derek Fahy, after Wexford officials had reportedly protested over the original choice of referee. Wexford show intent Jason Ryan's charges showed their intent inside 25 seconds of the throw-in. Darragh Daly lost possession at midfield and the home side took full advantage. Aindreas Doyle drove the ball downfield to Redmond Barry, who rounded Kieran Gavin and headed goalwards. With Aidan Finnan backing off the Wexford raider, Barry's finish to the net was clinical. This was a huge setback for Westmeath and before they could muster a response, Ciarán Lyng underlined his threat. Denis Corroon was dispossessed by Eric Bradley and Ben Brosnan then found Lyng with a precise pass. Lyng got away from Frank Boyle and fisted the ball over. Brosnan was being afforded too much space by Ger Egan, and he was supplying much of the ammunition for the dangerous twosome of Barry and Lyng. After three early wides, Pat Flanagan's side got off the mark in the eighth minute, David Glennon's pinpoint pass setting up Dessie Dolan for a well-taken point off his left foot. A minute later, Westmeath created a half chance of a goal. Kieran Gavin came forward and played a one-two with Denis Glennon. Gavin's pass across goal was just behind Dolan, who turned and blasted just over the bar. In the tenth minute, Barry snaffled up a rebound off a Shane Roche shot and clipped the ball over, before Denis Glennon replied with a fisted point. After Lyng and Paul Greville swapped points from close-range frees, David Glennon found Denis with a measured pass and the latter set up a point for Dessie (leaving Wexford ahead by 1-3 to 0-5). Boyle had started on Lyng with Gavin on Barry, but they swapped markers after the early Wexford blitz, and then switched back again. Still, the attacking duo proved irrepressible, with Lyng evading Gavin with ease for a sweet 16th-minute point. Dessie Dolan lifted Westmeath with a splendid point in the 18th-minute, after Paul Greville's crossfield ball had created the opening. Dolan had been giving Joey Wadding a torrid time, but full-back Graham Molloy made a better fist of the task when switched onto the Garrycastle star. Kieran Martin was finding the going tough at centre-back but he did well to deny Eric Bradley a goal chance after Lyng's shot came back off the post. In the ensuing play, Martin was penalised for a foul and Brosnan did the needful from the free. Denis Glennon reduced the deficit to the minimum once again with a fine point (24th minute), but Lyng soon replied at the other end and, as Westmeath's defensive woes continued, Colm Morris set up Brosnan for another. Dolan and Glennon were keeping the visitors just about in touch, and the former set up the team captain for an exquisite point on the run in the 28th minute. The first substitution of the game saw James Dolan introduced in place of Boyle. Dolan was given the unenviable task of marking Lyng but, just moments after his new marker entered the fray, the St Martin's player sent over another point. Wexford now began to put daylight between the sides, with Lyng's pointed free followed by sores from Shane Roche and Redmond Barry. For the latter score, Graham Molloy was allowed to come forward unchallenged to set up the chance for Barry. As the half ticked into injury-time, Aidan Finnan, who had followed Colm Morris (nominally his direct opponent) out the field, lofted over a fine point from about 50 metres. There was still time for Brian Malone to burst forward and, after a foul by James Dolan, Lyng converted the free. It was the last score of a hugely entertaining half of football, but the second period was too one-sided to be of much enjoyment to anyone, apart from the home fans. Within a minute of the restart, prominent Wexford wing-back Adrian Flynn combined with 'Red' Barry to create a goal chance for Eric Bradley, who blasted over the bar. After Dessie Dolan pointed a free, Wexford reeled off eight points on the trot. Half-time substitute John Heslin was given a 'welcome' to the Leinster championship with a meaty but fair shoulder from Wexford midfielder Daithi Waters. Lyng kick-started the succession of Wexford points with a glorious effort, before Brosnan added four white flags (three frees and a superb effort from play). Barry and Lyng added to their respective tallies, and then a totally unmarked Adrian Flynn got in on the scoring act. Party time That Flynn point put Wexford 14 ahead and a total rout looked on the cards. At that stage of proceedings, it was party time for the Slaneysiders. In one Wexford attack, the ball went towards the right corner flag, and Barry could even indulge himself by back-heeling the ball to his fellow sniper Lyng. John Heslin stopped the rot with a superb individual point, finding the target after a 70-yard solo run. At this stage, however, only the combined powers of Roy of the Rovers and Superman could save Westmeath. Wexford could easily have rubbed further salt into Westmeath's wounds, but substitute Adrian Morrissey fired a gilt-edged goal chance wide. At the other end, Dolan set up Denis Glennon for a left-footed point as Westmeath's leading two players on the day did their best with the meagre second-half scraps on offer. Lyng brought his tally to ten points with another exquisite effort. Shortly afterwards, Lyng's substitution elicited a well-deserved standing ovation from the delighted Wexford supporters. Heslin won another kick-out which led to a pointed free by Dolan. Denis Glennon then set up Dolan for his seventh point, before a bustling run by substitute Brendan Murtagh drew a free, which was pointed by Paul Greville. That trio of scores brought the deficit back to 10 points but, fittingly, Wexford would have the final say on the scoreboard, with impressive midfielder Rory Quinlivan and Brosnan (a free from 45 metres) bringing their tally to 1-24. Wexford now march on to a Leinster semi-final with Luke Dempsey's Carlow - who recorded a sensational win over Louth last Sunday - while Westmeath have to regroup for a long trip to Casement Park next Saturday after being drawn against Antrim in the first round of the Qualifiers. SCORERS: Wexford: C Lyng 0-10 (3f); B Brosnan 0-7 (5f); R Barry 1-3; S Roche, E Bradley, R Quinlivan, A Flynn 0-1 each. Westmeath: D Dolan 0-7 (2f); Denis Glennon 0-4; P Greville 0-2 (2f); A Finnan, J Heslin 0-1 each. WEXFORD: Anthony Masterson; Joey Wadding, Graham Molloy, Brian Malone; Adrian Flynn, David Murphy, Aindreas Doyle; Rory Quinlivan, Daithi Waters; Shane Roche, Ciarán Lyng, Ben Brosnan; Colm Morris, Eric Bradley, Redmond Barry. Subs: Niall Murphy for Wadding (48 mins); Adrian Morrissey for Flynn (56); Brendan Doyle for Bradley (60); Paddy Byrne for Roche (60); Liam "g McGovern for Lyng (66). WESTMEATH: Gary Connaughton; Francis Boyle, Kieran Gavin, Aidan Finnan; Ger Egan, Kieran Martin, Doran Harte; Darragh Daly, Denis Corroon; Paul Sharry, David Glennon, Conor Lynam; Paul Greville, Denis Glennon, Dessie Dolan. Subs: James Dolan for Boyle (27 mins); John Heslin for Sharry (h-t); John Gaffey for Gavin (inj., 39); Brendan Murtagh for Corroon (56); Micheál Curley for David Glennon (61). WIDES: Westmeath 7 (1st half: 4). Wexford 7 (1st half: 2). YELLOW CARDS: Westmeath 3 (K Gavin, G Egan, J Dolan). Wexford 1 (D Murphy). REFEREE: Pádraig Hughes (Armagh).