Westmeath cruise past 13-man Wicklow

Westmeath 5-21, Wicklow 1-10

Westmeath made a commanding start to their Leinster Minor Hurling Championship campaign with a comprehensive victory over a Wicklow side that struggled, in Pearse Park, Arklow, on Saturday.

Conor Williams stole the show, hitting 3-13 as the Lake County overpowered their opponents, who finished with just 13 men.

Wicklow started brightly and played their best hurling in the opening quarter, but once Westmeath settled, they took full control. It's a positive start for Westmeath in Tier 2 of the Leinster Championship in a group that also includes Antrim, Meath and Offaly.

It took seven minutes for Williams to open the scoring with a free, but Wicklow responded well. Joe Keeshan broke free and set up Conor Boland, who eventually got his shot away to open Wicklow’s account.

The sides traded points in the early stages, with Dillon Burke and Pádraig Monaghan on target for Westmeath, while Rian Rooney replied for Wicklow. However, the first major blow came when Williams struck for a goal from a low-driven free, which evaded multiple Wicklow defenders on the line.

Wicklow’s struggles from puckouts became evident, as Westmeath repeatedly forced turnovers and capitalised on sloppy possession. Despite racking up 10 first-half wides, the visitors continued to build their lead, with Williams punishing Wicklow’s frequent fouling.

Monaghan added a second goal after his initial effort was saved, reacting quickest to fire home the rebound. Moments later, Williams carved through the Wicklow defence unchallenged and buried his second goal, leaving the home side reeling.

Boland’s late point ended a lengthy scoring drought for Wicklow, but at half-time, Westmeath were in complete control, leading by 3-13 to 0-5.

Westmeath pile on the pressure

Wicklow showed some early second-half resistance, with Ray Nolan’s side hitting three quick points, including a fine effort from Carnew’s Tom Brennan. However, Williams and Monaghan soon reasserted Westmeath’s dominance, landing six unanswered points.

Wicklow’s challenge suffered a major setback when John Lynch received a red card for a high tackle. Ironically, this sparked an improved spell for the home side, as Brennan forced a fine save from Westmeath goalkeeper Niall Brady.

However, their frustration grew when Keeshan was also shown a straight red for a high challenge, reducing Wicklow to 13 men. By that stage, Westmeath had extended their lead to 3-18 to 0-9.

The visitors then added a fourth goal in unusual fashion, as Conor Cleary’s long-range free dipped under the crossbar. Wicklow responded immediately, with Brennan setting up substitute Daniel Duffy for a well-taken goal, but that would prove to be their final score.

Williams completed his hat-trick in the closing minutes, catching a puckout before racing through to finish clinically. Further points from Williams and Eoin McGrath rounded off a dominant display from Westmeath, who ran out emphatic 23-point winners.

Westmeath: Niall Brady (Clonkill); Dara Mulligan (Castletown Geoghegan), Ted Ahearne (St Oliver Plunkett's), Dylan Gaffney (Clan na Gael); Éanna Kieran (Clann na Gael), Cian Fleming (Raharney) (0-2), Conor Cleary (Clonkill) (1-0); Dillon Burke (Cullion) (0-1), Oisín McCauley (Raharney); Eoghan Beehan (Cullion) (0-1), Cian McKeogh (Raharney), Finn Higgins (0-1) (Clann na Gael); Donnacha Briody (Raharney), Pádraig Monaghan (Clonkill) (1-2), Conor Williams (Na Piarsaigh) (3-13). Subs: Dean Kelly (St Brigid’s) for D. Briody, Eoin McGrath (Na Piarsaigh) (0-1) for P Monaghan, Conor Maleady (Clonkill) for F Higgins, Ronan Lawlor (Raharney) for E Kiernan.

Wicklow: Conor O’Sullivan; John Lynch, Seán Traynor, Sé Killoran; Ciarán Darcy, Seán Byrne (0-1) Aodhán Heaney; Rian Rooney (0-3), Senan Shortall; Luke Cotter, Dean Barry, Cillian Brady (0-1); Tom Brennan (0-3), Conor Boland (0-1) Joe Keeshan (0-1). Subs: Seán Byrne for C. Darcy, Seán Craig for S. Shortall, Daniel Duffy (1-0) for D. Barry.

Referee: Dean Alford (Dublin).