Walsh goal crucial as Galway deny brave Westmeath side
Galway 1-12, Westmeath 0-11
Dessie Dolan spoke of his pride at Westmeath's spirited display in front of a big crowd at TEG Cusack Park today, after a late Shane Walsh goal ensured a four-point win for Connacht champions Galway.
"It was tight, tense and tough in the second half and we were much better in terms of execution which let us down the previous day. The players were fantastic, but it just came down to fine margins and that's the way it is at this level," remarked the Westmeath supremo.
The Lake County put the defeat against Armagh firmly behind them as they led by 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time with John Heslin, Ray Connellan, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch and Robbie Forde among the scorers. Not even an early black card for Ronan O'Toole could stop Westmeath taking control.
It remained evenly contested and was all square after an hour, before Walsh intercepted an attempted cross-field pass by Ray Connellan and raced clear to score a crucial goal.
"We just got caught with that stray cross-field ball and those are the fine margins at this level, but I'm very proud of the players, it was a very good performance. It's a tough environment in that we get nothing from such a huge effort and we will now have to process this and look at the game against Derry in two weeks' time," said Dolan.
"Inter county football is ruthless: you don't have to tell me about making mistakes. That's the nature of the sport. Ray Connellan has been one of the most consistent players in my time; he's a great talent and we wouldn't be at this level without him. I'm sure the players will be ready for a big effort in the final game against Derry."
Westmeath and Derry will now battle it out for that third place spot when they meet in in a fortnight, most likely at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Scorers - Galway: S Walsh 1-4 (0-3 frees), C Gleeson 0-2 (45s), M Tierney 0-2, C Hernon 0-1, C Darcy 0-1, C McDaid 0-1, K Molloy 0-1.
Westmeath: J Heslin 0-5 (frees), R Wallace 0-2, S McCartan 0-1, D Lynch 0-1, R Connellan 0-1, R Forde 0-1.
Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud, Charlie Drumm, Kevin Maguire; Ronan Wallace, David Lynch, James Dolan; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Sam McCartan, Ronan O’Toole, Jonathan Lynam; Senan Baker, John Heslin, Robbie Forde. Subs: Luke Loughlin for Forde (52), Stephen Smith for Baker (55), Shane Allen for Gonoud (56), Kieran Martin for Lynam (68), Danny Scahill for Dolan (inj., 68).
Galway: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, J Glynn; D McHugh, L Silke, J Daly; P Conroy, J Maher; J Heaney, C Hernon, C Darcy; M Tierney, C McDaid, S Walsh.
Subs: S Mulkerrin for Daly, D O’Flaherty for Hernon (45); T Culhane for McDaid (52); C Sweeney for Heaney (55); L Ó Conghaile for Maher (65); K Molloy for Mulkerrin (68-temp).
Referee: N Cullen (Fermanagh).