Westmeath fade as Antrim deservedly claim victory

Antrim 2-23, Westmeath 1-15

March went out like a lion but it was Antrim who were purring at TEG Cusack Park on Saturday as they outplayed Westmeath to claim a deserved victory in the Leinster U20 Championship.

Antrim’s strength, skill and execution were superior to the home side, who struggled for any kind of rhythm in the wet, cold conditions. Westmeath’s battling qualities were admirable, but they can have no complaints with the defeat and an 11-point gap at the end does not flatter the Glensmen.

There were four points separating the sides at the break, Antrim ahead by 1-10 to 0-9, and Westmeath continued to be competitive, trailing by a similar margin with 47 minutes played. Ultimately Antrim’s physical strength told and they powered on in the final quarter to win with something to spare and Westmeath will have to regroup for their clash against Meath in this Tier 2 group.

Antrim’s full forward line really impressed and their two capable corner forwards got 1-16 between them: Jack McCloskey and Fiontan Bradley were both very impressive and but for some stout defending at times from Brian McCabe, Conor Daly and Darragh Smith, the home side could have been lagging well behind at an earlier stage.

Aodhan McGarry’s goal early in the second half proved a decisive blow, while Fiontan Bradley and Jack McCloskey spearheaded an attack that found another gear after the break. Westmeath’s early promise faded as the game progressed, with Antrim’s superior strength in key areas a major factor and the Saffrons scored the final six points to win in convincing style.

And yet, rather ironically, it was Westmeath who made the brighter start, with Cormac McKeogh firing over an early point from play inside the opening minute. Dylan Corrigan followed with two well-struck frees in quick succession, and midfielder Calum McKeogh added another fine point after a well-placed pass from Ivan Smyth. Westmeath were 0-4 to 0-0 up within five minutes before Antrim found their rhythm.

Oran Donnelly, a dominant presence at full forward, got Antrim off the mark after six minutes with a point after Aodhan McGarry’s delivery. Niall Magee and a Bradley free further reduced the leeway before McCloskey punished a defensive mix-up to score from play. The deployment of Nathan Cornally as an extra defender didn't work from a Westmeath perspective and their passing game lacked the slickness required. When Cody Ward responded with a well-taken point for Westmeath, it seemed they had steadied themselves, but Antrim struck a crucial blow with 14 minutes on the clock.

Donnelly’s clever pass found Bradley, who drilled a low shot past Padraig Casey for Antrim’s first goal. The visitors had the sliotar in the net again just seconds later, but Magee’s effort was ruled out for a square ball infringement. Westmeath breathed a sigh of relief, but the signs of Antrim’s growing dominance were apparent.

McCloskey tacked on two more points, the second after a precise pass from Ben O’Kane, before Thomas McLaughlin burst forward to add another score. Antrim might have added a second goal soon after, but Westmeath corner-back Conor Daly produced a crucial block to deny McCloskey, and Casey was called into action moments later to save a tame shot from Joseph McLaughlin.

Calum McKeogh ended Westmeath’s 11-minute scoring drought with a point after an incisive run by Smyth. The midfielder had started the move and was rewarded for his persistence, taking the return pass before slotting over. Antrim finished the half stronger, however. Joseph McLaughlin’s point signalled their growing control, with physically imposing figures such as Sean McKay at centre-back and Joseph McLaughlin at centre-forward increasingly influential.

Corrigan landed a superb free from distance before Bradley responded in kind. Corrigan repeated the trick from a long-range free, only for Bradley to send over an added-time free of his own. Cormac McKeogh then had the final say in the half, pointing to leave Westmeath trailing by four at the break.

Antrim flourish

Westmeath got the ideal start to the second half with Conor Heffernan splitting the posts inside the first minute, but Antrim immediately replied as McCloskey fired over a fine score. Bradley underlined his sharpness by turning smartly and adding another point, stretching the lead to five.

Corrigan’s free kept Westmeath within touching distance, but McCloskey responded instantly. Then came the game’s defining moment. A mis-hit line ball from McCloskey fell kindly for McGarry, who gathered and slotted home despite Casey getting a slight touch. A poor defensive lapse from Westmeath had gifted Antrim a crucial score, and suddenly the lead stretched to eight points.

Cormac McKeogh did his best to rally Westmeath with a swift reply, and when Ivan Smyth bundled in a goal after his initial effort was only partially saved (following Corrigan’s Pass), it looked like a comeback might be on. The gap was back to four, and Westmeath sensed an opportunity.

However, Antrim kept their composure. McCloskey landed another point after Ronan Fitzgerald’s pass, and though Corrigan knocked over another free after substitute Caolan Ready was fouled, Antrim’s impact off the bench soon told.

Cormac McKeown struck within a minute of his introduction before Cody Ward’s well-taken score momentarily reduced the gap to four again. Antrim, however, found another gear in the closing stages, with Bradley’s accuracy from placed balls proving crucial. He nailed a free before tagging on another point from play. Westmeath’s final score came when Corrigan slotted over another free, but Antrim closed out the contest in ruthless fashion, hitting the last six scores of the game.

Donnelly added to his tally before Bradley converted a monster free from distance. McCloskey then displayed his quality, striking over a sublime point from deep in his own half-back line. Bradley added another free, and in added time, McKeown struck again to cap a commanding finish from Antrim.

Westmeath manager Jody Murray will be keen to get his players refocused for the next outing against Meath, but a youthful side could well find it very challenging at this grade.

Scorers - Antrim: F Bradley 1-9 (0-5f), J McCloskey 0-7, A McGarry 1-0, O Donnelly 0-2, C McKeown 0-2, J McLaughlin, T McLaughlin, N Magee 0-1 each.

Westmeath: D Corrigan 0-7 (frees), Cormac McKeogh 0-3, I Smyth 1-0, Callum McKeogh and C Ward 0-2 each, C Heffernan 0-1.

Antrim: Eoghan Richmond; Malachi McGibbon, Cian Baudant, Niall Magee; Charlie McAuley, Sean McKay, Ben O’Kane; Callum McIlwaine, Ronan Fitzgerald; Aodhan McGarry, Joseph McLaughlin, Thomas McLaughlin; Jack McCloskey, Oran Donnelly, Fiontan Bradley. Subs: Cormac McKeown for Fitzgerald (46), Callagh Mooney for J McLaughlin (51), Cian O’Connor for Magee (52).

Westmeath: Padraig Casey; Conor Daly, Jack Murtagh, Darragh Smith; Sean Hayes, Brian McCabe, Peter Murphy; Calum McKeogh, Cody Ward; Dylan Corrigan, Conor Leech, Conor Heffernan; Cormac McKeogh, Ivan Smyth, Nathan Cornally. Subs: Neale Pierson for Cornally (ht), Connaire Martin for Hayes (44), Caolan Ready for Leech (46), Adam Cassidy for Heffernan (50), Sean Jackson for I Smyth (54).

Ref - Kevin Brady (Louth).