Second half goals pave way for Maryland win

Westmeath SFC: Maryland 3-9, St. Loman's 0-16 -- Three stunning goals in the second half of this Westmeath Senior Football Championship Division 1 tie at Hogan Park, Moate on Sunday afternoon last, ensured that Maryland grabbed the two points on offer in their clash against last years finalists St. Loman's.The win meant Maryland enjoyed their second victory on the trot, having overcome Coralstown/Kinnegad last time out. While the large Maryland contingent were in collective high heaven at referee Michael Gordon's final whistle it was further frustration for Walter Burke's charge who already leaked three early goals against Athlone in their opening match of the Championship 2010 to eventually lose to the Shannonsiders by three points. They thus remain pointless going into the six week summer sabbatical, while the Drumraney side are sitting pretty with full points, looking forward to a top of the table clash with the Athlonians when hostilities are renewed.In glorious conditions it was Maryland (lining out in green, the original colours of the South Westmeath stronghold) who made the brighter start, when Kieran Martin had a lovely point on the run, after five minutes and it was Kieran who turned provider for his brother David to add another from play three minutes later. With the clash of colours necessitating the Mullingar side to don the Delvin maroon strip, Loman's got off the mark on nine minutes when midfielder and Leinster under-21 final hero, John Heslin lofted over a glorious point from outfield, but Maryland's John Reilly having drawn a good save from Loman's 'keeper Stephen Gallagher responded with his side's third point in the 12th minute.There was a certain lack of fire in exchanges up to this, but the small Loman's support were given plenty to enthuse about when taking almost complete control. From the 15th minute to the short whistle nine points were flagged - eight of them in Loman's favour to establish, what looked at the time, the foundation from which the 2009 finalists would launch a winning second half salvo.Their defence closed up shop with Gary Glennon giving full forward and ace dangerman Callum McCormack precious little room and David Rushe also impressive, with midfielders John Heslin and Jonathan Plunkett gaining the upper hand. Conor Lynam, up front, was proving a handful to the Maryland rearguard and with full forward Ciaran Kilmurray also in fine form, the scores came. Points by Conor Lynam (2), Ciaran Kilmurray (2), Kieran Lynam (2 frees), Conradh Reilly and John Heslin (free) put the mid-county squad in control with Callum McCormack getting Maryland's solitary reply. Both teams hit six wides each in the half, but Lomans went in 0-9 to 0-4 ahead.Maryland opened the second moiety on a brisk note with Joe Harte pointing after only 23 minutes but Loman's Kilmurray quickly negatived this. If he was somewhat subdued by his high standards in the opening thirty minutes, Callum McCormack would now show his vast range of talents. A converted '45' followed by a splendid effort from play (were the lead up to the equalising goal when the young full forward made the space for Joe Harte.The renewed work rate and constant movement of their inside forward trio, were especially evident as the Maryland men had by the 42nd minute, clawed their way back to equality on the scoreboard (0-10 to 1-7). Loman's responded, retaking the lead with a trio of points (Rushe, Sharry and Conor Lynam) but Callum (play) and David Martin (free) again made it a one point game.Midfielder Jonathan Plunkett and Kieran Lynam (both from play) put Loman's a goal ahead again, but a sideline ball for Maryland between the dugouts on the stand side was gathered by Kieran Martin, whose sizzling run forward gave corner forward John Reilly the opening for the Drumraney team's second goal.Level again with six minutes remaining it would go to the wire! The huge Maryland contingent now sensed victory but Loman's fought back admirably with Jonathan Plunkett floating over another terrific point from play.Exchanges ebbed and flowed and the game edged into injury time and just as it looked that the Mullingar side would hold out it was another lineball fell to the excellent Kieran Martin who spotted the in-rushing Joe Harte for the lethal number fifteen to fire home that golden third goal to secure a victory and joint leadership of the division.Maryland: Tom Moran, Conor Farrell, David Reynolds, John Cunningham, Christy Grimes, Eoin Farrell, Darren Malynn, David Martin (0-2,0-1 free), Liam Reilly, James Reynolds, Kieran Martin (0-1), Ronan Moran, John Reilly (1-1), Callum McCormack (0-4, 0-1 '45') and Joe Harte (2-1). Subs: Aidan Reynolds for Moran (47), Trevor Farrell for Grimes (51) and Anthony Reynolds for Liam Reilly (54).St. Lomans': Stephen Gallagher, James Davitt, Gary Glennon, Sean Murphy, David Rushe (0-1), Declan Lambden, Emmet Cahill, John Heslin (0-2, 0-1 free), Jonathan Plunkett (0-2), Paul Sharry (0-1), Conradh Reilly (0-1), Shane Flynn, Conor Lynam (0-3), Ciaran Kilmurray (0-3) and Kieran Lynam. Subs: Barry Leonard for D. Lambden (38), Tommy Lambden for Flynn (49), Senan Russell for Murphy (52), Conor Cochrane for K. Lynam (57) and Paul Leonard for Davitt (59).Referee: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).