Clarke leads Castletown-Geoghegan to reclaim U21 hurling crown
Westmeath U21 hurling championship final
Castletown-Geoghegan 3-21
Cúchulainns 3-11
A skillful side replete with inter-county experience reclaimed the Westmeath U21 hurling crown for Castletown-Geoghegan last night, at the expense of Lough Lene Gaels/Crookedwood/Turin amalgamation side, Cúchulainns.
Maroon shirt regulars Aonghus Clarke bagged 1-6 and Niall O'Brien hit 0-6 in a Black and Amber outfit boasting the experience of Liam Varley, Paul and David Fennell, and Westmeath minor dual star Shane Clavin.
Ciaran Glennon, another recruit to the Westmeaths setup this year, notched up 1-4, while Darren Ruane contributed 1-2 in a solid day at the office for Castletown.
They didn't have it all their own way though. In the form of Lough Lene Gaels stars Tommy and Brendan Doyle among others, Cúchulainns had their fair share of big-hitters at this level, and were competitive throughout.
Tommy Doyle helped himself to 1-4, but Cúchulainns simply couldn't make up a 1-11 to 1-4 deficit at half time, and a tremendous second half tally of 1-5 from Clarke secured the title for Castletown.
Castletown-Geoghegan
Niall Kelly; Paul Fennell, Dean McDermott, Diarmuid Garvin (capt.); Eoin Quinn, Liam Varley, Michael Heeney; David Fennell, Shane Clavin; Darren Ruane, Niall O’Brien, David Lynch; Neal Kirby, Aonghus Clarke, Ciaran Glennon. Subs used: Liam Cassidy for Quinn (52), Frankie Deegan for D Fennell (60).
Cúchulainns
Shane McGovern; Kevin Sheil, Alan Fitzsimons, Damien Keogh; Fergal Tiernan, Philip Reilly (capt.), John Egan; Brendan Doyle, Brian McLoughlin; Michael Daly, Tommy Doyle, Ciaran Yourell; Conor Savage, Padraig Grace, Dan Devine. Subs used: Simon McCarthy for Devine and Peter McGuigan for Grace (both h/t), Dan Devine for Tiernan (50), Alan Jennings for Savage and Lorcan Savage for Sheil (both 57).
Ref
Mick Murtagh (The Downs).