Dermody highlights potential of U20 Westmeath side

Damien Maher

Westmeath U20 hurling boss, Andrew Dermody, praised the character of his side following their defeat by Offaly in Saturday's Leinster championship encounter at Tullamore.

"They never gave up and they were excellent in the final quarter," he observed. Dermody's charges face Antrim on Saturday in TEG Cusack Park in the second round.

The manager was conscious of the need to maintain concentration for the full hour.

"We fell asleep for that second Offaly goal; it shouldn't have happened and we will learn from it," he remarked.

Ironically, Dermody revealed a similar type goal was conceded in a challenge game against Tipperary earlier in the year which adds to the frustration, but despite the lapse, Westmeath went on to dominate most of the second half.

"We had five goal chances and took over totally for a period in the second half. It was very encouraging. There is serious potential in this team and they played with no fear of Offaly, who had five of the side which contested last year's All-Ireland minor final. There are a lot of positives from our perspective," he enthused.

Dermody felt the threat of Charlie Mitchell and Adam Screeney up front made Offaly very difficult opposition, but he was happy with how the defence coped, overall. Indeed, Mitchell played on the Offaly senior side in recent weeks.

"I thought Conor Gaffney did well overall, on Screeney, who was very good from frees," he observed.

"But there are a lot of positives from this game and plenty for us to work on ahead of the next round against Antrim. Peter Clarke got on a lot of ball in the midfield sector and maybe we could look at him further forward, closer to goal, where he might be more of a threat. Mark Cunningham was excellent, too, and popped up in the forward line on a few occasions. He took his goal chance well: he manages to get into those areas very often.

"David Williams was excellent from frees and he's a very clever hurler. David O'Reilly was very good and won plenty of ball from puck-outs; he was a great outlet for us."

Dermody hopes Saturday's display will give his charges renewed belief.

"They now know they can compete at this level and hopefully they will bring that added belief into future games. It's great that we have a game next week again as it gets players back into it very quickly," he remarked.

Raharney's Eamonn Cunneen carried an injury into the game, but got through 40 minutes and should be fine for the Antrim match.

Clarke sustained an injury to the elbow late on, he's expected to be fine for next Saturday's game and there are no major concerns for Westmeath.