February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Waterford 3-13
Westmeath 2-8
By Peter Nolan
Waterford’s senior hurlers downed Westmeath 3-13 to 2-8 in the curtain raiser to the New York GAA’s big Sunday. Westmeath started well, although Thomas Maher of Waterford opened the afternoon’s scoring. Lorcan Coll answered for Westmeath to quickly equalize.
Westmeath’s Jonathan O’Callaghan opened in form with three points. The talented Corkman looked like he was in for a big day, but it never really materialized.
Instead, the day’s hero was Waterford’s Sean Daly. Daly notched an impressive personal tally of 3-6. The home county import grouped all of his goals in the last 15 minutes to end Westmeath’s hopes.
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The early birds in the stands were treated to an entertaining hurling match, which remained close until Daly’s late heroics. Waterford had a solid supporting cast. Victor O’Shea and Francis Halpin, like Daly home county imports, were good. Solid support came from Thomas Maher, Stuart Barry and Jamie Duggan.
Westmeath promised more than they delivered on the day. Peter Dalton showed his class in the number six jersey and O’Callaghan had his moments. But Waterford deserved this win and Westmeath will look to improve for their next outing.
Man of the Match: Sean Daly.
Waterford: Jimmy Dugan, Stuart Barry, John Pendergast, Thomas Maher (0-1), Victor O’Shea, Tom Bernmingham, Francis Halpin (0-2), Jamie Duggan (0-1), Roy Henley, Jason Barry, Aiden Sweeney, Ray Duggan (0-1), Sean Daly (3-6). Subs: Mucha Maher, Rory Hussey (0-2).
Westmeath: Darren Fitzpatick, Barry Smith, Collie Reilly, Ronan Fagan, Peter Dalton, Paddy Barry, Shane O’Neill, Rob Nolan, Jonathan O’Callaghan (0-5), Damian Dermody, Martin Finn (2-0), Lorcan Coll (0-2). Subs: Brian McCabe (0-1) Jason Barry.