February 15, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Markey
Westmeath 3-11, Stamford 2-9 At halftime, Westmeath held a 1-point advantage, 1-4 to 0-6, and on this evidence one expected the second 30 minutes of this Div. I senior football encounter to be as close. They were, but one couldn’t have imagined the scoring spree from both that was to ensue Sunday at Gaelic Park.
A lot of speculation has surrounded Westmeath this season, but they have had trouble putting scores on the board. Sunday proved no different, and despite their final tally of 3-11, it could have been, and should have been, a lot more.
Despite holding the interval advantage, the manner in which Stamford began the second half suggested they would claim a vital two league points. Indeed, 2-2 in the space of five minutes transformed the game. Martin Power and Brian McKenna found the net courtesy of uncustomary Westmeath defensive errors. Seven points up now with Westmeath still unable to find the target, the looked set for victory. But the Leinster side displayed a lot of character in the minutes remaining and, holding Stamford to just one further point and able to find their range, they began to reassert themselves. Dave Fitzgerald capitalized on some loose defending, and with Pauric Davis adding a succession of points, parity was restored. Terry Goodwin added a fine goal and in the closing minutes Westmeath consolidated their ranks and pulled further ahead.
Dave Newman, Tom Quinn, Terry Goodwin, Ed Green, Donal McCarthy and Pauric Davis each had a fine outing for the winners. John Creegan, Martin McDermott, Ted Steede, Ger Devine, Mark Comerford and Martin Power did likewise for Stamford.
Westmeath scorers: P. Davis 0-6, D. Fitzgerald 1-2, D. McCarthy 1-1, T. Goodwin 1-0, M. Healy and C. Mathers 0-1.
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Stamford: M. Power 1-3, M. Martin 0-3, B. McKenna 1-0, R. Power 0-2, M. Comerford 0-1.