Late goal helps Westmeath beat Banner men in lively clash

Westmeath 3-16 Clare 1-17

Danny McCartan's late goal sealed victory for Westmeath over Clare in a senior football challenge match which proved a useful workout for both sides in Castledaly last Sunday.

The game was played in front of a decent attendance, something which made a mockery of the notion that it would be played behind closed doors.

For most people it was their first chance to see the Westmeath senior football team play a match since they exited the 2024 All-Ireland championship last June. In addition, curiosity about the new Gaelic football rules and the make-up of Dermot McCabe's squad piqued the interest of many home supporters.

Luke Loughlin led the way for Westmeath on the day, The Downs attacker scoring 1-8 (including a two-pointer). Loughlin is, of course, a well established figure in the Westmeath team and how some fringe players would acquit themselves was of greater interest. With several key Westmeath players either retired or unavailable due to work or travel abroad, there are plenty of positions up for grabs.

An interesting selection by the Westmeath management was the placing of Conor McCormack in goals, a player who generally operates in attack for his club Caulry. Clearly the Westmeath management was looking to exploit McCormack's ability to kick off the ground in terms of securing possession from kickouts, but whether he has the shot-stopping ability for the position remains to be seen.

One negative for Westmeath on the day was the hamstring injury picked up by Senan Baker after only about two minutes of play. The injury could leave the Caulry man on the sidelines for a number of weeks. Interestingly, Baker's replacement, Kevin O'Sullivan of The Downs, boosted his chances of future involvement with a fine display.

As expected, both sides introduced plenty of substitutes - Westmeath ten and Clare eight - and with the majority made at a rapid rate during the second half, there could even have been more.

Having returned from Australian Rules outfit Hawthorn, Fionn O'Hara of St Loman's Mullingar was given a chance to impress at wing-forward. Cork native Brian Guerin, who played for Mullingar Shamrocks in last year's senior championship, was placed at midfield alongside Ray Connellan.

Overall, this proved an enjoyable and high scoring contest, though it's fair to say the jury is out regarding some of the new rules which have been warmly welcomed by many despite scant evidence to back up such views.

For instance, the outstanding Emmet McMahon scored a couple of two-pointers for Clare from frees outside the new arc, but it's extremely baffling as to why a free (when obviously no opponent can make a tackle) should be worth two points. Some of McMahon's scores from play were far more laudable yet they only merited one point. The awarding of two points for any score from a free is surely a rule change that should be dispensed with at the first available opportunity.

On a positive note, the requirements to have three players inside the opposing 65-metre line and the 'solo and go' rule look like they will have a positive impact.

After all the recent frosty weather, conditions were quite mild for this encounter in Castledaly as the home side overcame the challenge of a Clare side now managed by Peter Keane, with Westmeath's Peter Tormey part of his backroom team.

Man of the match: Emmet McMahon (Clare). It was very difficult to separate McMahon and Westmeath's Luke Loughlin, but the Clare man just about gets the nod for keeping his side in the game with some outstanding scores and the quality of his general play.

Scorers - Westmeath: L Loughlin 1-8 (0-1 '45', 0-1 free); D McCartan 1-1; C Dillon 1-0; R Forde 0-2 (1f); L Dolan, K O'Sullivan, R Connellan, R Wallace and S Smith (f) 0-1 each. Clare: Emmet McMahon 0-10 (0-2f x 2); E Cleary 1-1 (0-1f); A Griffin 0-3; K Downes 0-2; K Sexton 0-1.

Westmeath - Conor McCormack; Conor Dillon, Charlie Drumm, David Giles; Enda Gaffney, Ronan Wallace, Senan Baker; Ray Connellan, Brian Guerin; Fionn O'Hara, Sam McCartan, Robbie Forde; Lorcan Dolan, Luke Loughlin, Stephen Smith. Subs used: Kevin O'Sullivan, Eoghan McCabe, Danny McCartan, Jamie Gonoud, Daragh Lowry, Jack Geoghegan, Joe Moran, Jason Daly, Mark Eivers, Shane Ormsby.

Clare - Eamon Tubridy; Manus Doherty, Cillian Rouine, Cillian Brennan; Alan Sweeney, Fionn Kelleher, Cian Burke; Eoin Cleary, Cillian McGroary; Sean McAllister, Emmet McMahon, Kieran Downes; Darragh Burns, Keelan Sexton, Conor Meaney. Subs used: Shane Griffin, Aaron Griffin, Colm Walsh O'Loghlen, Joe Raftery, Eoghan Casey, Ikem Ugwueru, Evan Cahill, Thomas Collins.

Referee - Enda Kelly (Westmeath).

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