Moate's Cunningham nets as Westmeath minors cruise past Wicklow

THE Westmeath minor football team eased into the Leinster MFC quarter-finals following a comfortable victory against Wicklow at Aughrim on Wednesday evening.

With Moate All-Whites’ Ruairi Cunningham notching 1-2, Westmeath survived a black card to full-back Israel Ilunga to achieve a 2-17 to 1-8 win.

The victory sets up a tasty derby match against Offaly in the quarter-finals (Saturday, May 17, Tullamore, throw-in TBC).

Westmeath led by 1-9 to 0-1 at half-time on Wednesday evening, with Ciaran Shanley adding to the Lake County’s goal tally after the break. Substitute Aidy Byrne, of Athlone, also got on the scoresheet after his introduction. 

Byrne was joined in the team by fellow south Westmeath youngsters Cunningham (Moate All-Whites), Matthew Darling (Athlone), Eoin Fox (Caulry), Fergal Hynes (Castledaly) and Boidu Sayeh (Rosemount).

Westmeath had been defeated in their opening championship outing against Kildare but this 'back-door’ victory will provide Tom Carr’s outfit with a boost ahead of facing Offaly.