McDonald’s class halts Westmeath’s run against Carlow

Allianz NHL Division 2A: Carlow 1-20, Westmeath 1-14

A disappointing display from Westmeath’s senior hurlers in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow this afternoon led to the first defeat of the Joe Fortune era, with Carlow ending a long losing streak against the visitors with a six-point win.

Carlow were rarely trouble by the pre-match favourites in this Allianz National Hurling League Division 2A clash, turning out a markedly improved display on their recent Kehoe Cup performance.

Kevin McDonald was the talisman for the Barrowsiders, hitting 1-6 (including 1-3 from play), and his three points got them underway. Westmeath were four adrift before Kevin Regan – who went off injured midway through the first half – opened the scoring for the visitors.

Carlow led 0-14 to 0-8 at the break, and that margin remained at full-time as Westmeath failed to do enough to penetrate a disciplined Carlow defence.

The Maroons were well adrift by the time Cullion’s Jack Gillen, who was the Lake County’s main threat in attack, converted a late penalty. McDonald’s goal with seven minutes, meanwhile, put sufficient daylight between the sides.

Scorers – Carlow: K McDonald 1-6 (0-3f), C Nolan 0-4, J Doyle and F Fitzpatrick 0-2 each, B Tracey (f), D Byrne, J Kavanagh, C Kehoe, J M Nolan and T Joyce 0-1 each. Westmeath: J Gillen 1-6 (1-0pen, 0-5f), K Doyle 0-3 (1f), A Cox, D McNicholas, K Regan, A Clarke and C Doyle 0-1 each.

Carlow: Brian Tracey; Paul Doyle, Conor Lawlor, Michael Doyle; Jack McCullagh, Diarmuid Byrne, Jack Kavanagh; Conor Kehoe, Fiachra Fitzpatrick; John Doyle, Chris Nolan, Kevin McDonald; Dean Tobin, John Michael Nolan, Ted Joyce. Subs used: Paul Coady for Tobin (64), Scott Treacy for J M Nolan (66), Fiach O’Toole for Joyce (69), Tony Lawlor for C Nolan (70 + 4).

Westmeath: Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Tommy Doyle, Conor Shaw; Aaron Craig, Aonghus Clarke, Jack Galvin; Cormac Boyle, Shane McGovern; Kevin Regan, Joey Boyle, Niall Mitchell; Killian Doyle, Jack Gillen, Ciaran Doyle. Subs used: Derek McNicholas for Regan (inj., 17), Alan Cox for McGovern (h-t), Charlie McCormack for C Doyle (52), Owen McCabe for J Boyle (55), Johnny Bermingham for Galvin (58).

Ref: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).