By Paul O’Donovan
Westmeath hurler Aonghus Clarke was honoured this week when he was named on the GAA/GPA 2020 Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year.
The Castletown-Geoghegan hurler had another fine year in the maroon and white jersey and was deservedly named at centre half back on the team.
The team was selected by an independent selection committee of journalists and referees.
Westmeath hurlers didn’t have the best of years in 2020 and opened their McDonagh Cup campaigns with disappointing defeats against Antrim and Kerry. Shane O’Brien’s side had suffered major difficulties in the early games due to Covid cases and the unavailability of players, but they responded well and secured good wins over Meath and Carlow.
Clarke, played at both centre half back and at centre half forward ending up the fourth highest scorer in the Joe McDonagh competition scoring a total of 0-23 over the four games.
The Joe McDonagh Team of the Year includes seven members of the Antrim team that won the Cup, five from Kerry, two from Carlow, with Aonghus Clarke the only representative from Westmeath.
A programme honouring the GAA/GPA 2020 Joe McDonagh Team of the Year will be aired on 2FM Radio this Wednesday evening at 6pm.
