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N.Y. GAA Westmeath’s 2d-half surge leaves Offaly in dust

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Mike FitzpatrickWestmeath 1-10, Offaly 0-7

Westmeath entered this tie as favorites against a newly promoted Offaly side eager to prove that they have what it takes to make it among the senior hurling ranks. Having stormed the junior division last year, much is expected of the Offaly men. Sunday at Gaelic Park, however, proved that there is still a gulf between junior and senior levels. Though a gallant Offaly side more than held their own for much of this tie, even restricting the impressive Westmeath side to just four points in the first half, Westmeath overcame their opponents with some fine second-half displays, particularly from Enda Lohan, Collie Fearon and Brendan Kirby.

It was Kirby who opened the scoring for his side, knocking a point in for Westmeath, swiftly followed by two efforts from Brian Daly. Offaly fought back and snatched two points thanks to some spirited play from half forward Kevin Dunne. Offaly plowed forward but could not get past the Westmeath backline of Greg Dixon and Robbie Kennedy, and at halftime the score remained at the relatively lowly 4 points to 2 in Westmeath’s favor.

Offaly corner forward John Hanlon entered the second half seemingly buoyed by his team’s halftime pep talk and proceeded to charge through the Westmeath backline to register a couple of points after Westmeath had furthered their lead thanks to a Brian McCabe free. Damian Dermody increased his side’s lead with a point taken from a good distance out, only for Hanlon to grab another for Offaly, bringing his side back into the fray.

Kirby displayed some fine hurling in the second half, adding to his side’s tally with another couple of points, and despite points from Offaly’s Hanlon, and Enda Condron, Westmeath clearly displayed their intentions with going home with a win under their belts. Joe Daly gave his side the adrenaline injection they needed with a snapshot that went under the bar for a Westmeath goal, and despite bookings for Condron, McCabe and Daly himself, the game continued in a flowing style with little animosity between the sides.

Hanlon again, and Condron scored points for Offaly, but late efforts from Brian Daly and Kirby again put the tie beyond reach for the Offaly men, and Westmeath finished up — some will say as expected — on the winning side. Offaly will be back in the summer when things really get exciting with the commencement of the Senior Championship, and having had a taste of what the opposition can muster up, surely their appetites have been whetted, and with goalkeeper Paddy Donaghue between the sticks playing like he did today, surely Offaly will prevent many three pointers being scored.

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Westmeath: Dessie Costelloe, Greg Dixon, Robbie Kennedy, Enda Lohan, Peter Dalton, Collie Fearon, Brendan Kirby (0-4), Jimmy Hughes, Brian Daly (0-4), Brian McCabe (0-1), Joe Daly (1-0), Damian Dermody (0-1), Pat Spellman.

Offaly: Paddy Donaghue, John Hyland, Jim Miller, Dave Reynolds, Enda Condron (0-1), Sean Nolan, Sean Donaghue, Kevin Dunne (0-2), Martin Murray, Shay McCourt, John Hanlon (0-4), Colm Scanlon, Brendan Coughlan. Subs: John Larkin, Brendan Moran.

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