Vastly improved Wesmeath

A last-gasp goal from Colm Cavanagh earned All-Ireland champions Tyrone a scarcely-deserved brace of NFL points in Cusack Park last Sunday, leaving a vastly-improved Westmeath team frustratingly rooted to the bottom of the Division One table, after an enthralling encounter. Few, if any, of the Westmeath contingent in the crowd of approximately 2,800 at the resplendent Lake County GAA headquarters could have envisaged the almost unbelievable improvement in their heroes" performance, after generally insipid efforts to date in this campaign, particularly in the heavy defeats by Derry and Mayo. As it transpired, an excellent second-half display yielded goals from "old reliables" Denis Glennon (a magnificent score) and Michael Ennis (whose 69th-minute flicked effort seemed set to herald a famous home win). However, Tyrone have not won the Sam Maguire Cup three times in the last six years without an abundance of never-say-die spirit and an unanswered 1-2 in the last four minutes" action gave Mickey Harte"s understrength side an invaluable two points. Westmeath fans were unhappy with some of the marginal calls made by referee Derek Fahy in the closing stages and there was a suspicion of a "square ball" offence when the winning goal flew in off Colm Cavanagh in the 37th minute of the second half. But, overall, this was a moral victory with a difference for Tomás Ó Flatharta"s charges, as pride in abundance was restored to the maroon jersey and the weeks and months ahead don"t look as bleak as was the case after the Ballinascreen and Charlestown setbacks. Indeed, it was heartwarming to see so many committed displays by the under-21 players on duty and the return of a few established stars may just leave Westmeath poised for another all-out assault on a second Leinster title. Westmeath (who were unusually represented at the pre-match toss by sub goalkeeper Cathal Mullin) had the advantage of a slight wind in the first half. The visitors went a point ahead in the very first minute, Niall Gormley pointing a difficult free with his left foot, after Alan Claffey had fouled Shaun O"Neill. Despite a wild wide from Francis Boyle, already looking comfortable in a new half back role, Westmeath then gave as good as they got, without managing to trouble the scoreboard operator. In this all-important department, Tyrone showed the way with quickfire points from wing-back Davy Harte (in acres of space) and their star of stars, Sean Cavanagh (despite a half-block by Kieran Gavin). At the other end, the losers almost manufactured an unlikely goal in the ninth minute, the ball from Conrad Reilly"s underhit effort for a point being met in the air by Denis Glennon"s fist, but Jonathan Curran saved easily. With the home team generally struggling at midfield, the Tyrone backs were able to attack with worrying ease, but no scores accrued from these forays into Westmeath territory. In the 13th minute, the home team opened their account with a well-taken fisted point from debutant Conor Lynam, the St. Loman"s, Mullingar teenager sensibly fisting over a point, after taking a pass from club-mate Conrad Reilly. A minute later, Sean O"Neill sauntered forward unimpaired to rifle over a 35-metre point to put his side 0-4 to 0-1 to the good. Alan Claffey then came to his side"s rescue with a goal-saving interception, preventing Kevin Hughes" pass reaching the unmarked Shaun O"Neill. Soon, Denis Glennon tapped over a 20-metre free, after Michael Ennis was fouled. With exactly 18 minutes elapsed, Shaun O"Neill got his name on the scoresheet and, some two minutes later, his namesake with a slightly different spelling, Sean O"Neill, almost nonchalantly slotted over a "45". With 20 minutes gone, Denis Glennon kicked a great point from 30 metres, having initially done well to field Francis Boyle"s long pass. Good play by David Duffy and Conrad Reilly then set up Niall Kilcoyne and the youthful midfielder kicked a terrific point from 45 metres, to leave his side trailing by two points. What appeared to be a harsh free awarded against Kieran Gavin on Sean Cavanagh came to nothing, with the latter player screwing his placekick wide. A wonderful catch by Colin Holmes from the resultant kick out precipitated a patient Tyrone move which ended with Shaun O"Neill pointing in the 24th minute. Niall Kilcoyne then replicated his earlier heroics with another sublime point from play and Denis Glennon made the most of what seemed a soft free awarded to him by converting from 25 metres. A brace of Sean Cavanagh points, the first from a free and the second from play after he effected a one-two with Shaun O"Neill, rounded off the Red Hand County"s first half scoring haul. In the first minute of added-time, Denis Glennon kicked a straightforward free, after he had been fouled by Conor Gormley, leaving Westmeath in a much healthier state than almost every pundit in the country had envisaged, trailing by only 0-7 to 0-9 at the break. The home fans were off their seats a mere 20 seconds after the resumption of play, with Denis Glennon"s fisted effort coming back off the crossbar. A poor effort from an out-of-sorts Francis Spollen was easily gathered by Jonathan Curran and, soon afterwards, Doran Harte seemed justified in his annoyance when he was penalised for allegedly handling the ball on the ground. A great catch from John Keane preceded a wild high pass from David Duffy which failed to trouble the Tyrone defence, but this early Westmeath pressure was encouraging nonetheless. In the 41st minute, skilful play by Denis Glennon freed Conrad Reilly, who fired over a terrific point from a tight angle. A minute later, Sean Cavanagh restored the visitors" two-point lead from a 40-metre free, after Alan Claffey had fouled Niall Gormley. An underhit kick from a "45" by Doran Harte fell kindly for Denis Glennon who duly rifled over another top-class point. Two chances of a Westmeath equaliser, albeit both difficult, were not availed of by Conrad Reilly and Denis Glennon (free), before Cusack Park erupted at the sight of as good a goal as has been scored in the stadium in years. Outstanding defensive play by John Keane was followed by tigerish play from Doran Harte, freeing Denis Glennon to solo goalwards in full flight. From 15 metres out, the Tyrrellspass maestro unleashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Tyrone net to put the men in maroon and white two points to the good. Westmeath were now playing with a new-found and refreshing spirit and, at the other end, Gary Connaughton pulled off a trademark catch from Niall Gormley, but the Tubberclair colossus was lucky that his subsequent loose clearance was not converted into a score by Sean Cavanagh. The home side continued to defend heroically and Kieran Gavin was unfortunate to be penalised as he attempted to clear his lines, allowing substitute Colm McCullagh to slot over the ensuing 30-metre free. With eight minutes of normal time remaining, another converted free, this time by Sean Cavanagh, after John Keane impeded Martin Penrose, tied up the contest. Denis Glennon"s vast array of skills surfaced again in the 63rd minute when he kicked a sublime point, with his weaker left foot, following good work by two substitutes, Thomas McDaniel and John Smyth. Another Colm Cavanagh flick ahead of Gary Connaughton almost yielded a Tyrone goal, but the wonderfully-energetic Doran Harte popped up on the line to clear the ball to safety. Tyrone replacement Peter Donnelly soon saw yellow for a second "tick" - the game was hard but eminently fair at all times - before Westmeath sub Keith Scally shot well wide under severe and barely legal pressure. In the 68th minute, a clever lineball from Sean Cavanagh picked out Davy Harte and the Tyrone manager"s nephew kicked a typically-elegant point to level the game again. Incredible drama ensued in the closing moments. A superb catch from David Duffy and terrific approach play from Thomas McDaniel and John Smyth resulted in arch-goalpoacher Michael Ennis repeating his achievement in Omagh last summer when he found the net in the 69th minute, leaving Westmeath seemingly poised for a famous victory. This win looked all the more certain when Gary Connaughton pulled off a fabulous save from Niall Gormley at the expense of a point. A rare lapse in concentration by John Keane preceded a foul by Doran Harte and Colm McCullagh left the bare minimum between the teams when he pointed the resultant 30-metre free. With maroon and white-clad fans biting their fingernails and urging the referee to blow up the game, one last-ditch move by the Ulster men saw the ball reach Conor Gormley in a threatening position. The defender"s low goalbound shot was brilliantly deflected out by Gary Connaughton. However, the ball ricocheted off the legs of the in-rushing Colm Cavanagh and it flew to the back of the Westmeath net. A minute remained of injury-time and Tyrone held on to achieve a flattering win, as understandably-dejected Westmeath players could not believe their eyes. The very least that Westmeath deserved last Sunday was a share of the spoils but, otherwise, this was a display laden with positives all over the pitch. The defensive heroes of 2008 looked more focused and on top of their individual and collective games than in the first ten weeks of 2009. It is quite some time since the county produced a midfielder who can kick long-range points and Niall Kilcoyne has a lot to offer in this and other aspects of his play, while David Duffy is, slowly but surely, regaining match sharpness. Denis Glennon took the opportunity to prove in front of a captive television audience that he is undoubtedly one of the best forwards in the game just now. "Play-anywhere" Michael Ennis may well prove to be the man to bolster a problem line for the county he has served with absolute distinction throughout this decade. The other young and very promising forwards continue to learn the ropes at the highest level, while John Smyth worked tirelessly, as always, on his introduction. Tyrone definitely used their "get-out-of-jail" card in Cusack Park last Sunday. However, the cliché that "the more you practice, the luckier you get" is particularly apt in relation to this multi-talented outfit, who will unquestionably defend their treasured status as the best in the land with total commitment and skill in the months ahead. A full-strength Red Hand team will take some stopping come the championship. SCORERS - Tyrone: S Cavanagh 0-5 (3f); C Cavanagh 1-0; Shaun O"Neill, D Harte 0-2 each; Sean O"Neill 0-2 (1 "45"); N Gormley 0-2 (1f); C McCullagh 0-2 (2f). Westmeath: D Glennon 1-6 (0-3f); M Ennis 1-0; N Kilcoyne 0-2; C Lynam, C Reilly 0-1 each. TYRONE: Jonathan Curran; Conor Gormley, Justin McMahon, Martin Swift; Davy Harte, Sean O"Neill, Philip Jordan; Kevin Hughes, Enda McGinley; Raymond Mulgrew, Colm Cavanagh, Owen Mulligan; Niall Gormley, Sean Cavanagh, Shaun O"Neill. Subs: Colin Holmes for McGinley (inj., 10 mins); Peter Donnelly for McMahon (inj,, 39); Colm McCullagh for Shaun O"Neill (52); Martin Penrose for Mulgrew (52); Cathal McCarron for Donnelly (yellow card, 67). WESTMEATH: Gary Connaughton; Alan Claffey, Kieran Gavin, John Keane; Francis Boyle, Derek Heavin, Doran Harte; Niall Kilcoyne, David Duffy; Michael Ennis, Paul Bannon, Conrad Reilly; Francis Spollen, Denis Glennon, Conor Lynam. Subs: John Smyth for Bannon (29 mins); Thomas McDaniel for Spollen (44); Keith Scally for Reilly (62); Kieran Martin for Lynam (63). REFEREE: Derek Fahy (Longford).