February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Westmeath 4-12, Clare 4-8
Westmeath hurlers followed their footballers, of the previous week, into the victorious dressing room on Sunday last after a hard-earned victory over plucky Clare. Westmeath were clear favorites before the throw-in, yet the Banner men fought to the end.
Westmeath won this encounter simply because they had Jonathon O’Callaghan in their side. The Kilkenny native was outstanding, and his 4-8 contributed mightily to downing the Munster men. Clare, to their credit, were brave in everything they did, and with Seamus Pender and John Kennedy showing the results of winter training, they pinned the Westmeath in their own defense in the opening half.
Liam Biordy was always a threat every time he got the sliotar for the Banner men, and his bulky physique caused serious problems for the smaller Westmeath defenders.
Clare opened in lightning fashion and led at the interval by four points. Points from Kennedy and Darren Doherty edged them in front. Westmeath welcomed back Brian McCabe to their attack and his silk skills and excellent distribution greatly helped the Midlanders’ cause.
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The second half produced much better hurling from both sides, with the Westmeath men early to find their range. O’Callaghan was deadly in front of goal. He wove and dodged around defenders every time he touched the sliothar, and if a point wasn’t available, he rattled the net. Clare, on the other hand, struggled to regain their panache and power. Kennedy and Pender continued to hurl their hearts out, but they lacked support from most other sectors. Their fitness was also suspect in the final quarter as some dismal marking gave Westmeath the advantage. When O’Callaghan struck for goal No. 4, the deal was done and Westmeath had rallied to overpower a brave Banner outfit.
Westmeath: J. McDonald, J. Hughes, B. Smith, J. Murtagh 0-1, P. Dalton, R. Nolan, D. Curley, B. McCabe 0-2, J. O’Callaghan 4-08, P. Corcoran, D. Fitzpatrick, L. Coll 0-1, R. Fagan.
Clare: S. O’Hara, R. McKenna, B. Adams, S. Pender, C. Kelly, M. McGlade, J. Kennedy 0-4, E. Flynn, J. O’Meara 0-1, S. McMahon 0-1, D. Doherty 1-1, N. McGovern, L. Broidy 2-1.