Westmeath’s minor footballers made a disappointing start to the Leinster Minor Football League when they were defeated by an impressive Offaly side at Tubber, Offaly last Saturday.
By Damien Maher
Last year Westmeath shipped heavy defeats against the Faithful County in both league and championship and there was a sense of déja vú for the Westmeath fans here. Offaly looked much superior in the opening quarter and raced into an eight-point lead, playing with greater pace, power and purpose.
Westmeath reacted well and the one consolation for new manager, Aidan Lennon is that the players he introduced on the day made a difference, with Jack Coyle in particular stepping up to the mark in the second half. When corner forward, Billy Berry fisted home a late goal, following great work by strong full forward, Joe Halligan, it left Westmeath trailing by just four points at half-time (1-5 to 1-9).
Whatever chance the visitors had of getting right back into this game evaporated four minutes into the second half when Offaly swooped for their second goal through centre forward, Jack Walshe. Westmeath fans were incensed that what seemed an obvious pick off the ground in the build-up went unnoticed and Offaly simply coasted to victory in the remaining 24 minutes, during which the teams shared 12 points.
Westmeath were not at full strength for this match and midfielder, Sam Omokoro was battling with injury, so they will look to take the positives from it and move on to the second game against Limerick next Saturday.
HYLAND SAVE
As stated, Offaly began in blistering fashion with a goal from wing forward, Jordan Hayes, who finished low to the net in emphatic fashion. Midfielder, Kyle Higgins got his first point soon after and quickly repeated the dose as the Westmeath defence was caught napping. Joe Hyland had to produce a good save to deny Adam Keyes a goal, but Offaly were there in numbers and Hayes shot over to push them six points clear.
Halligan was off target for Westmeath before Offaly added their fourth point per Dylan Hyland, while an unmarked Higgins increased the home side’s lead to eight points in as many minutes.
Ronan O’Toole was one of those who stood out for Westmeath and his point on 10 minutes got the visitors off the mark. Halligan followed with a point, but it could potentially have been more with Daire Hynes on the overlap; Offaly hit back through Hyland and Ryan Heavin (free) to lead by 1-7 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.
Good work by Halligan (who played a one-two with Finbar Coyne before pointing) gave the Lake County their next score and O’Toole added another, after Coyne and Sam Omokoro linked up. But Offaly responded immediately through Hayes who shot over, while Heavin notched their ninth point.
Westmeath finished the half in positive fashion as Coyne and Cathal Daly carved an opening for wing back Maitiú Scully, who pointed. Halligan’s physicality saw him force his way through and get a shot in which came off the upright, before Billy Berry fisted home to give Westmeath a big boost on the stroke of half-time.
GOOD OPENING
The sides traded points in the opening three minutes of the second half – Shane O’Brien on target for Offaly with a potential goal chance and Daly replying for Westmeath in neat fashion. The contest died a death on four minutes when Heavin’s pass sent Jack Walshe through for Offaly’s second goal as shouts for what seemed an obvious pick-up fell on deaf ears.
Offaly pressed on, adding points per Heavin (free) and substitute, Ciaran Maher to lead by 2-12 to 1-6 and only a good Hyland save denied his namesake another major. Offaly lost centre back, Dylan Kavanagh to a second yellow card, but it made no discernible difference; a Daly free was replied to by Michael Mooney, who shot the home side’s 13th point. Westmeath attacked again and Halligan shot over from a good opening, after Paddy Sleator and substitute, Jack Coyle combined. But points from Hyland and Heavin (both frees) ensured Offaly held a commanding lead entering the final 10 minutes.
Coyle was impressing for Westmeath and his point reduced the leeway, before Daly slotted over a free and Halligan added his fourth point. Tensions ran high near the end, but cool heads prevailed and the teams traded late points (Heavin on target for Offaly, while Halligan grabbed his sixth score) as Offaly prevailed.
SCORERS – Offaly: R Heavin 0-5 (3f), J Hayes 1-2, J Walshe 1-0, K Higgins 0-3, D Hyland 0-3 (1f), M Mooney, S O’Brien, C Maher 0-1 each. Westmeath: J Halligan 0-5, B Berry 1-0, C Daly 0-3 (2f), R O’Toole 0-2, M Scully 0-1.
OFFALY – Kevin Keneghan; Gavin Smith, Clint Horan, Ronan Hynes; Brian Ryan, Dylan Kavanagh, Adam Keyes; Michael Mooney, Kyle Higgins; Jordan Hayes, Jack Walshe, Dylan Hyland; Jack Clancy, Shane O’Brien, Ryan Heavin. Subs used: David Dempsey, Ciaran Maher, Jack Quinn, Jason Dempsey, PJ Daly, Joe Lowry, Shane Tierney.
WESTMEATH – Joe Hyland; Darragh Healy, Gareth Carr, Ben Treanor; Maitiú Scully, Paddy Sleator, Brendan McMahon; Sam Omokoro, Finbar Coyne; Cathal Daly, Ronan O’Toole, Daire Hynes; Thomas O’Rourke, Joe Halligan, Billy Berry. Subs used: Tom Molloy, Sean O’Neill, Aaron Roarke, Adam Loughlin, Jack Coyle, Cathal Mannion, Jamie Rooney, Plunkett Maxwell.
REFEREE – James Mulhare (Laois).
