Third successive victory for Westmeath minor hurlers

Electric Ireland Leinster MHC knockout round 1

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 TEG Cusack Park last Friday.

The Lake County led by 2-4 to 0-5 at half-time, following first half goals from Conor Heffernan and Caolan Ready and were generally always in control of a largely unspectacular game.

Having dominated the possession stakes, Westmeath eventually made an impression when Conor Heffernan scored a terrific goal in the 17th minute: 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.

It wasn't a vintage Westmeath performance and manager Pat Clarke, while satisfied with another victory, acknowledged his side must improve to challenge Offaly in the next round.

"We're delighted with the victory, but the performance was not what we 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.

SUPERB

In fine Good Friday weather, a wasteful Westmeath side fell behind early on as Carlow's Joey Dalton slotted over from play and impressive midfielder Jake Nolan converted a free from midfield. Caolan Ready eased Westmeath nerves with a point from play after five minutes, but when Darragh Smith shot wide, it was already the home side's sixth missed opportunity.

However, a 17th minute goal from Heffernan changed things: McCormack, Mulvaney and McHugh all combined in a move through the centre and Heffernan struck for a superb goal.

Play was scrappy and Westmeath's inaccuracy was a feature of the game. Nolan responded with a Carlow free while Conor Leech was denied a Westmeath goal on 20 minutes; Mulvany shot over a fine point from play to put the home side two clear (1-2 to 0-3). Carlow kept in touch as Colm Kavanagh fired over, but a quality point from a tricky angle by Mulvany put the home side two clear again after 25 minutes. The visitors were just one behind when midfielder Nolan pointed from play again.

Darragh Smith's long delivery was won impressively in the air by Heffernan in the 28th minute and he was taken down by the Carlow corner back, Eoin Doyle, who received a yellow card. Heffernan pointed the free, but one could sense he had bigger ambitions.

In added time, Westmeath got their second major: Smith's sideline cut caused issues for the opposing defence and when Heffernan was blocked, Ready pounced on the loose ball to find the net. That timely finish put them five clear at the break.

DOUBT

Ben McNamee's low strike was deflected on to the upright in unconvincing manner by the Carlow 'keeper three minutes into the second half before Nolan landed another free for the Barrowsiders. Westmeath made a decisive move in the 39th minute as Heffernan pounced for his second goal. It followed a delivery by Conor Leech and from seven metres, Heffernan found the net in emphatic fashion.

It was the start of a 1-3 blitz that certainly put the issue beyond any doubt. Heffernan (two frees) got three unanswered points in this period, his shot from play a wonderful effort from the left flank after 51 minutes. Carlow got the final score through Andy Jordan (free), while Heffernan (two, a '65' and a free) and substitute Sean Hayes added three late Westmeath minors to complete a resounding victory.

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 K Nolan (49), Cian Meaney for Foley (54).

Ref - Ciaran Flynn (Meath).