Third successive victory for Westmeath minor hurlers
Electric Ireland Leinster MHC knockout round 1
Westmeath 3-10
Carlow 0-7
Damien Maher
Westmeath minor hurlers recorded their third straight victory in this year's Leinster Minor Hurling Championship when they proved too strong for a limited Carlow side at sunny TEG Cusack Park today.
The Lake County led by 2-4 to 0-5 at half-time, following first half goals from Conor Heffernan and Caolan Ready. Victory ensures a home tie against Offaly in the preliminary quarter-final on the weekend of April 16.
Having dominated the possession stakes, Westmeath eventually made an impression when Heffernan scored a terrific goal in the 17th minute: midfielder Carl McCormack, Joe Mulvany and Winston Larkin McHugh were involved in the build-up before the Na Piarsaigh man fired a rasping shot to the top corner of the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Westmeath got a tonic second goal when Darragh Smith's well struck sideline cut landed in the danger area and Heffernan's shot was blocked; Caolan Ready gathered the rebound and sent a low shot past the Carlow 'keeper.
Westmeath's third major came in the ninth minute of the second half: a good delivery from Conor Leech led to a chance for Heffernan (after Ready was prominent) and the corner forward finished clinically to the net again.
Overall, it wasn't a vintage performance, far from it at times and manager Pat Clarke, while satisfied with another victory, said Westmeath will have to improve to challenge Offaly in the next round.
"We're delighted with the victory, but the performance was not what we had hoped for. We were too sloppy with our passing and we need to focus on that. Our defence was excellent and obviously it's great to get another victory, but we are conscious of the need to step things up considerably for the next day," he remarked.
Scorers - Westmeath: C Heffernan 2-6 (0-4f; 0-1 '65'), C Ready 1-1, J Mulvany 0-2, S Hayes 0-1. Carlow: J Nolan 0-4 (4f), J Dalton, A Jordan (free) and C Kavanagh 0-1 each.
Westmeath - Kian Loughlin; Mikey Weir, Jack Murtagh, Darragh Kenny; Darragh Smith, Connaire Martin, Neale Pierson; Carl McCormack, Conor Leech; Joe Mulvaney, Winston Larkin McHugh, Eoin Meehan; Conor Heffernan, Caolan Ready, Ben McNamee. Subs: Cormac McKeogh for McHugh (42), Padraig Casey for Leech (45), Aaron Flanagan for Pierson (49), Sean Hayes for McNamee (54), Patrick Kiernan for Meehan (60).
Carlow - Joe Bermingham; Dylan McGrath, Gavin Murphy, Eoin Doyle (Burren Rangers); Martin Carroll, Mark Dundon, Cillian Murphy; Jake Nolan, Conor de Lacey; Joey Dalton, Andy Jordan, Jack Foley; Kyle Nolan, Colm Kavanagh, Robbie Ward. Subs: Eoin Doyle (Mount Leinster Rangers) for Ward (41), TJ Darcy for Nolan (49), Cian Meaney for Foley (54).
Ref - Ciaran Flynn (Meath).