New York GAA Fitzgerald points way for Westmeath

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Westmeath 1-10, Monaghan 1-8

This was something of a surprising result. Monaghan entered this Senior Football Division 1 tie as favorites, possessing among their ranks such attack-minded individuals as P.J. Rogers, Eddie Murphy, Paul McGlynn and a recent addition from Ireland, Kieran Tavey. Monaghan’s rearguard of Gary Birdy and Bonnie Duffy are two opponents attackers clearly fear, but the Westmeath forward line, led with distinction by Dave Fitzgerald, somehow managed to get the better of them.

It’s fair to say that Monaghan opened the tie as the stronger side, with Hughie O’Sullivan playing well in defense, intercepting on a number of forward-bound passes from the Westmeath midfielders James Dolan and the impressive Sam Yore. Tavey opened the scoring for Seamus Dooley’s side with a couple of well-taken points, only to be matched by Dave Fitzgerald and Damian Gavin of Westmeath, who notched a couple for Philip Slevin’s charges. An injury to Monaghan’s Emmet McCormack saw him worryingly helped off the field, and the resulting substitution saw Rogers come on and cause havoc for the Westmeath defense. McGlynn provided a number of telling passes forward that Murphy registered as points, and Rogers scored a fabulous point himself minutes later. The much-experienced John Markey came on for Westmeath and gave his side some needed bite, and the scoreline began to seesaw a little as we approached the half time whistle with Monaghan eventually leading by a point.

The second half opened on an even more exciting pace, with both sides going on the attack immediately. Rogers hit a goal for Monaghan to a tumultuous roar from the Monaghan support after Fitzgerald had equalized, and Gavin had given Westmeath a slender lead. Westmeath substitute Stuart Barry came on for his side and immediately saw action, coming close with one effort which Monaghan keeper Damian Doherty did extraordinarily well to keep out. In fact it was Doherty’s antics between the posts which kept his side in the game during stages of the second half. Barry, however, was not to be denied a second time, and fired a goal past Doherty to claim victory for Westmeath. It’s clear that Monaghan will come back after this defeat, their players perform very well as a unit, but Westmeath fought determinedly and deserved the points in the end. Some will claim this as a shock victory, but on the day Westmeath impressed enough to steal the points.

Westmeath: Emmet Haughian, Kenny McGinlay, Frank Kavanagh, David Bailey, Tom Quinn, Collie Mathers, Tommy Moriarty, Sam Yore, James Dolan, David Flaherty (0-1), Damian Gavin (0-3), Davey Newman, Dave Fitzgerald (0-4), Martin Murtagh, Barney Healy (0-2). Subs: Stuart Barry (1-0), John Markey, Cathal Kenny.

Monaghan: Damian Doherty, Bonnie Duffy, Gary Birdy, Stephen Rush, Brian McKenna, Bernard Treanor, Louis Breslin, Hughie Sullivan, Dan Scott (1-1), Noel McEntee, Paul McGlynn, Paul McEntee (0-1), Kieran Tavey (0-3), Emmet McCormack, Eddie Murphy (0-2). Sub: P.J. Rogers (1-1).