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Westmeath hurl defeat at Cats

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Westmeath had to win this senior hurling tie, having lost to Clare and Waterford. Facing a side as feared in hurling circles as Kilkenny is not something an off-form team really needs, but full credit must go to this Westmeath side, which, against all odds, defeated Kilkenny by such a healthy margin Sunday at Gaelic Park.

Westmeath surged towars their opponent’s goal in the first 15 minutes and registered scores thanks to Dan Doran, and a rampant Brian Daly.

Kilkenny were clearly shellshocked, and after succumbing to scores from Daly and Doran, began to pick themselves up and fight back. A goal from Brian Barcoe, and points from Vinnie Norton, Kevin Corbett and John Nolan reduced the deficit a little, and going into the break, Westmeath led the Cats by a score of 2-6 to 1-5.

Each side had a man sent off, Westmeath’s Colm Reilly receiving his marching orders, which unbalanced the game and gave Kilkenny room to maneuver, attempting to make full use of the extra man. But referee JoJo O’Sullivan then balanced things out by sending Kilkenny’s Luke Doyle off.

The second half got under way with Kilkenny attacking more in an effort to reduce the deficit, and thanks to Vinnie Norton, they did temporarily.

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Brian Daly then picked up where he left off and continued to fire efforts over the bar.

Kenny McKinlay came on for Westmeath and added to the points scored, and along with further goals from Daly and Corcoran, Westmeath’s mission was accomplished.

The result clearly leaves a number of sides capable of making the playoffs. Kilkenny were one of the preseason favorites, but their form so far has been well below expectation.

Westmeath did themselves proud with this performance, and having given themselves such an enormous optimism boost, they should stand in much better stead for their remaining games. With players among their ranks as Daly, Brendan Kirby, John McDonald and Brian McCabe, it’s not difficult to imagine them making the playoffs having seemed to be almost out of contention.

Westmeath: Mark Briody, Enda Lohan, Robbie Kennedy, Jimmy Hughes, Brian McCabe, Colm Reilly, Peter Dalton (0-1), Brendan Kirby, Alan Barclay, Peter Corcoran (1-0), Dan Doran (0-2), Brian Daly (2-5), John McDonald (1-0).

Kilkenny: James Joyce, Mark Kennedy, Kieran Gaughan, Peter Breen, John Nolan (0-1), David Brennan, Vinnie Norton (0-3), Pat Rohan, Kevin Corbett (1-1), Luke Doyle (0-2), Don Ryan, Brian Barcoe (1-1), Jerome Edge Subs: Richie Hogan (1-0), jim Kenny, Johnathon Doyle, Aidan Ryan.

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