Scahill stars as Westmeath triumph in high scoring clash

Westmeath 3-19 Galway North 3-10

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Will Scahill’s impressive display helped Westmeath to defeat Galway North in this Ted Webb Cup game at Páirc Chiaráin, Athlone last Saturday morning.

Westmeath came into this game in confident mood, having beaten Dublin and drawn with Cork, and they now have three positive results against high profile opposition.

They again produced a vigorous display and they had a match winner in full forward Will Scahill. Scahill had performed admirably for the Westmeath minors already this summer and he brought that experience into this U16 competition. The Shandonagh clubman scored 1-8 (1-6 from play) and assisted in a number of scores.

Westmeath got off to a flyer and they put together some excellent team moves to create scoring opportunities. Scahill kicked three points, while Seán Graham and Rory McCaul both kicked scores. Westmeath were 0-6 to 0-3 ahead after 20 minutes.

Galway’s Cian Hynes scored a goal against the run of play and the Tribesmen were back in the game. But then Tubberclair’s Seán Whittaker finished with aplomb to the Galway net and that goal was enough to leave Westmeath 1-9 to 1-4 in the ascendancy at half-time.

After the turnaround Westmeath took off again and had extended the lead by the 39th minute. Scahill, McCaul and Cian Fleming all kicked points.

Westmeath were in full control by the 40th minute and Galway looked like a team accepting defeat. But suddenly, again against the run of play, Galway's Odhran O’Hare rattled off 1-1 in quick succession and his goal was a brilliant individual score.

Into the fourth quarter, Westmeath were still holding the ascendancy at 1-14 to 2-7, but Galway were able to score when they did get the ball into attack.

Westmeath then got the key score in the game. Scahill was the player who stepped up and he brilliantly dispatched the ball into the Galway net for the home team's second goal.

Moments after the goal, Scahill again popped over a point and Westmeath were now in an unassailable lead of 2-15 to 2-7.

Westmeath finished strongly, with half-back Ross Tully popping up in attack to score his side's third goal. And that man again, Scahill kicked two scores before the final whistle was sounded.

Galway kept battling and consolation points came from substitutes Avon O’Malley, Cian Acton, Kieran O’Donoghue and Joey Reynolds. The visitors also scored a goal in added time, courtesy of Eoin Newell. They threw all they had at it and emptied the bench in doing so, but they simply weren’t able to outscore Westmeath.

Two wins against Dublin and Galway North and a draw against Cork has put Westmeath at the top of the table and ready for knockout competition. Their management duo of Alan Graham and David Bryan have reason to be confident against any opposition in this prestigious competition.

Player of the match: Will Scahill (Westmeath). A very promising player, Scahill was an easy selection. With his ability to get scores and create chances, he stood out.

What it means: The result means Westmeath finish the group stage with two wins and a draw and will await a semi-final on Saturday, August 3 against one of Meath, Laois, Mayo or North Kerry.

Talking point: Westmeath’s continuous capability to compete with the stronger counties at U16 level. Looking back over the years, they regularly competed well with counties like Roscommon in the Fr Manning Cup. They have a distinguished record in the Gerry Reilly tournament against decent opposition and now, in the Ted Webb Cup, they are again holding their own with teams like Dublin, Cork and Galway North. Why then have Westmeath so often struggled to make a real impact at minor and U20/21 level? It's something that could be looked at in a deeper sense.

Scorers – Westmeath: W Scahill 1-8 (0-2f); S Whittaker, R Tully 1-0 each; R McCaul 0-3; S Graham, F Higgins, D Burke (1 45'), C Fleming 0-2 each. Galway North: C Hynes 1-2; O O’Hare, E Newell 1-1 each; T Kilmartin 0-2; C McPhillips, C Acton, A O’Malley, K O’Donoghue 0-1 each.

Westmeath: John Paul, James Pettit, Eoin Donoghue, Anthony Carroll, Ross Tully, Oisin McCauley, Conor Casey, Cian Fleming, Ruairi Dolan, Finn Higgins, Dillon Burke, Seán Whittaker, Seán Graham, Will Scahill, Rory McCaul. Subs used: Seán Byrne, Conor Maleady, Eanna Kiernan, Mikey Devine, Shane Windsor, Tomas Donoghue, Sean Keegan, Frank Kiernan, Senan Mackey, William Geraghty.

Galway North: Jamie Power, Conor Winston, Shane Hughes, Kyle Corcoran, Oisin Kelly, Evan Cunningham, Shane Lacey, Eoin Doyle, Andrew Kehoe, Tiernan Kilmartin, Eoin Newell, Cian Hynes, Odhran O’Hare, Cillian McPhillips, Cian Hynes. Subs used: James Quinn, Niall Smyth, Joey Reynolds, Cian Acton, Alex Ryan, Tim Madden, Kieran O’Donoghue, Avon O’Malley.

Referee: Eoin Jordan (Athlone).