February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Tyrone, on top form and among the front runners in New York senior football’s premier division, came up against a Westmeath side which had been struggling a little so far this year. The Ulster men had won their previous three games, whereas Westmeath had but one point to show for their four games to date. Added to these statistics was the fact that Tyrone had within their ranks such inter-county stars as Ciaran Gourley, Ciaran McBride and Peter Canavan. Alongside footballers such as Danny Barr, the excellent Philip Sloan and John Cormican, Tyrone looked formidable on paper.
Westmeath, however, obviously hadn’t listened to the hype surrounding their opponents, and went out last Sunday to win this game at Gaelic Park. With this precious four-point victory, Westmeath gathered two vital championship points which moves them to sixth in the table and still within a shot of reaching the seasonal playoffs.
Tyrone started with the upper hand, with Peter Canavan hammering in a couple of points, and a goal from Barry Hynes left the Westmeath selection trailing by five points. They charged back into the tie however, and before the interval, both Brendan Coulter and Ciaran Ryan had shot the ball over the line for a goal each which left Tyrone trailing by the slenderest of margins at half time.
After the break, it was more of the same, with both sides battling back into the tie. Westmeath, however, seemed hungrier for the points.
More points from Ciaran Ryan, Barney Healy and Tommy Carton gave Westmeath an edge, and although Tyrone had efforts from Michael Coleman and Canavan registering on the scoreboard, it was to be Westmeath’s day.
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Westmeath: Pat Spellman, Peter Dalton, Ciaran Walsh, Davie Bailey, Neil McSherry, Brendan Kearney, Tom Quinn, Ciaran Doyle, James Kavanagh, Brendan Coulter (1-1), Ciaran Ryan (1-2), James Kavanagh, Ciaran Doyle, Barney Healey (0-2), Tommy Carton (0-3), Ollie Gaughran (0-1), Collie Mathers. Sub Jimmy Hughes
Tyrone: Aidan Lloyd, Liam Brodie, Ciaran Gourley, Barry Hynes (1-0), Brian Quinn, Gary McGonnell, Collie Fearon, Danny Barr (0-1), Paul McGuirk (0-1), John Cormican, Peter Canavan (0-4), Michael Coleman (0-1), Philip Sloan, Ciaran McBride (0-1), Darren Flanagan. Subs: Barry Tally, Justin Murray.