Westmeath's senior hurlers opened their Joe McDonagh Cup campaign in summer-like conditions in Ruislip with a solid win over a London side, who could have been a lot closer had they converted some or all of four good goal chances which fell their way.
London showed they were up for the game with a thunderous challenge on Peter Murphy seconds after the throw-in which earned Sean Glynn a yellow card. Westmeath dominated the early exchanges and were full value for their 0-04 to 0-00 lead after five minutes, two of their points coming from David Williams' frees.
However, the home team began to settle and almost got on for a couple of half-chances of goals. Indeed, they were on level terms (0-06 apiece) after 25 minutes, two of their scores coming from play by midfielder Paul Kennedy.
A Jack Gillen point edged the visitors ahead before Eoin Keyes took centre stage with a haul of 1-02 in two minutes, the goal coming after a perceptive pass by Kevin Regan. They retained that six-point advantage at the interval (1-11 to 0-08).
Top scorer Williams – who was impeccable from frees throughout the game – pointed from play within a minute of the resumption of play. Eamonn Cunneen soon added a great team score.
London never looked like they would cause a shock, but Westmeath still struggled to shake them off, with the Exiles’ free-taker Jack Morrissey (who had come on in the first half) also on song from placed balls.
In the 45th minute, Glynn should really have found the net having done the hard part in breaking through tackles, but his effort was ultimately wide. Some 13 minutes later, sub Eoin McGrath saw his effort come back off the butt of the post and, with that, Westmeath’s hold on two crucial championship points was in no doubt.
Kevin O'Brien was able to introduce former All Star nominee Killian Doyle and long-time corner back Darragh Egerton to get some game time into two of their star players who have been out injured. They will have tougher tests ahead, starting with next Saturday’s visit to Mullingar of high-flying Carlow.
London: Mark Kilgannon; Barry Morrissey (0-01), Conor Byrne, Adam Cunney; Dylan Dawson (0-01), Niall Fitzgerald, Jack Loughnane; Paul Kennedy (0-02), Tom Hanafin; Ronan McGrady, Fionn Whelan, Noah Quinlan; Sean Glynn (0-01), Fionn Ó Riain Broin (0-01, '65'), Rory Lodge (0-01).
Subs: Jack Morrissey (0-07, 0-05 frees) for Ó Riain Broin (inj., 18), Padraig Muldoon for Byrne (inj. 29), Eoin McGrath for Whelan (47), Orann Donnelly (0-01) for McGrady (56), Evan Kelly for Kennedy (65).
Westmeath: Sean Jackson; Shane Williams (0-01), Conor Shaw, Naoise McKenna; Jack Gillen (0-01), Johnny Bermingham, Rory Keyes; Andrew Shaw, Peter Murphy; Eamonn Cunneen (0-03), David Williams (0-10, 0-06 frees), Kevin Regan; Darragh McCormack (0-01), Eoin Keyes (1-04), Mark Cunningham (0-01).
Subs: Jack Kearney for Cunningham (34), Killian Doyle for Regan (49), Josh Coll (0-01) for Cunneen (53), Darragh Egerton for C Shaw (56), Adam Bate for Gillen (61).
Ref: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).
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