Westmeath overcame local rivals Meath to gain their second consecutive victory in the Joe McDonagh Cup, with the Lake County full value for their 13 point victory.
Aonghus Clarke, who was outstanding for Westmeath throughout, got the first score of the game from the throw in, but it was the Royal County who had a dream start to the game, with corner forward Jack Regan finding the net in the third minute.
Meath more then held their own in the opening half, with Niall O’Brien’s free in the 18th minute levelling procedures, but Westmeath pushed on completely from this point onwards, with corner forward Allan Devine finding the back of the net with an excellent finish from close range, with the scoreboard reading 2-17 to 1-6 in favour of the Lake County at the interval.
The Royals came back into the game in the second half, but Niall Mitchell’s 48th minute goal was a killer blow for the Royal’s as it gave Michael Ryan’s charges a 15 point cushion.
Alan Douglas found the net for Meath shortly after and Nick Fitzgerald’s charges had a real chance to come back into the game shortly after, but Darragh Kelly’s penalty was saved by the excellent Paddy Carroll, who had a great game in the Westmeath goals.
Another goal from Allan Devine late on really put the gloss on the score-line for the Lake County, with Westmeath easing to victory, putting themselves in a great position for qualification for the Joe McDonagh final.
Westmeath face a tough trip to Kerry next weekend, whilst Meath host Carlow.
Westmeath: Paddy Carroll; Shane Power, Tommy Doyle (c), Gary Greville; Liam Varley, Paul Greville, Derek McNicholas (0-1); Eoin Price (0-5), Cormac Boyle; Ciaran Doyle (0-3), Aonghus Clarke (0-7), Allan Devine (2-2, 0-2f); Niall O Brien (0-5, 0-2f), Niall Mitchell (1-0), Robbie Greville (1-1).
Subs used: Aaron Craig for Liam Varley (50), John Gilligan for Derek McNicholas (54), Darragh Clinton for Cormac Boyle (59), Joey Boyle for Ciaran Doyle (65), Plunkett Maxwell for Eoin Price (68).
Meath: Shane McGann; Niall Weir, Sean Geraghty, Darragh Kelly(0-3, 0-2f); Joe Keena, Damien Healy, Keith Keoghan; Sean Quigley (0-1), Stephen Morris; Cathal McCabe (0-2), James Kelly (0-3), Patrick Conneely (0-3, 0-1f); Alan Douglas (1-1), Colm O Mealoid, Jack Regan (1-2, 0-2f).
Subs used: Adam Gannon for Sean Quigley (26), Shane Brennan for Damien Healy (HT), Mark O’Sullivan (0-2) for Colm O Mealoid (HT), Pauric Kelly for Jack Regan (HT), Eamonn O Donnchadha for Steven Morris (47).
Referee: Colum Cunning (Antrim)
