Fortune praises his side's character

Westmeath senior hurling team manager Joe Fortune was relieved to have gained a crucial victory over Meath on Saturday and paid tribute to the players for a terrific effort in difficult circumstances. His side needed to win in order to survive in the competition.

"It was a great second half from Eoghan McCabe and I'm delighted for Darragh Clinton, too. He has had a massive year for me in that he is really committed to it. Today was a good day; there's no celebration afterwards, but there is the realisation that the group has a chance to go for the Joe McDonagh Cup again next year," he remarked.

Fortune said the players were keen to make amends for some disappointing results in the championship.

"The narrative all week was about surviving and that hurt the players. It all stems from the first round defeat against Kerry. The players showed massive character, especially in the second half. We held Meath to a point and some of the young players really stood up, along with the experienced players like Aonghus Clarke, 'Jogger' (Tommy Doyle) and Killian Doyle. That will to win Kerry had the first day was massive: it's not down to players or management. Today we showed the same (as Kerry) and we ended up winning convincingly," he said.

"We have one more game left in the McDonagh Cup (against Laois) and we will see that out."

He feels the competition is fiercely competitive and Westmeath were left suffering after a flat performance against Kerry in round one.

"We have enjoyed great days as a team, with some massive wins against Laois and Wexford, and we have pushed some of the bigger teams all the way. That group of players put their lives on hold to represent Westmeath and wear the maroon jersey: I'd love for the people on social medial platforms to realise that. Some days they don't perform; that's sport. I wanted to win, but Johnny Kelly wanted the same from Offaly; Willie (Maher) wants the same from Laois; Stephen (Clynch) wanted the same from Meath today. They are a proud county and we had to fight hard in the first half," he remarked.

"We all realise that we haven't had the McDonagh Cup campaign we wanted, but that was going to be the case for one of the teams. The resources that are being pushed into Offaly are huge: they have a massive crop of young players coming through and they want success. This campaign hasn't gone the way we wanted, but it hasn't been for the want of trying.

“I'm proud to be the Westmeath manager and we are trying to drive hurling in a county that's predominantly football."