Eight days after their scheduled league opener against Laois was called off due to a frosty pitch in TEG Cusack Park, Westmeath’s senior hurlers commenced their Division 1B campaign in very pleasant conditions at Corrigan Park, Belfast last Sunday afternoon, but a sharper home team always looked in control and they were not flattered by their nine-point winning margin.
The Glensmen have achieved a much higher profile than usual in recent months with the appointment of Davy Fitzgerald as manager and they had a large following present. Conversely, only a few handfuls of diehards made the long trip to support the men in maroon and white. The Clare legend was under pressure to win this match after his charges were well beaten by Dublin in Croke Park eight days earlier. However, that match under their belt stood to them as they led from start to finish against a Lake County side short of a large quantity of their likely championship team when injuries heal and overseas travels are concluded.
