Burke points the way as minor hurlers repel Meath

Leinster MHC: Westemath 3-21, Meath 3-12

Like Oliver in the Charles Dickens classic, Westmeath manager Brendan McKeogh wanted more and while his side responded well to the rallying calls, there was plenty to ponder at the final whistle as they overcame Meath at Killucan on Saturday in the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship.

Inspired by midfielder Dillon Burke, the Lake County always had enough in hand having led by 15 points after 40 minutes, but there was much concern about the manner of the fade out which allowed Meath back to within seven points by the 55th minute. Brendan McKeogh pointed to a dip in concentration but it was more than that and he will need to get his players focused on delivering 60-minute performances if they’re to make an impact further down the line.

Conor Williams is a case in point - he scored eight points in the first half and looked formidable, his superb strike on 26 minutes one of the highlights. However, he had very little influence on the game after the break. Meath freshened things up and at times took the Westmeath defence to shreds as they scored 3-4 in 14 minutes.

The exception was Burke who stood tall and shot seven points in a powerful performance from midfield; when the target was set he delivered three unanswered points at a vital stage in quickfire fashion with three minutes remaining to steady the ship. Like the curate's egg it was good in parts; the encouraging thing is that when Westmeath were focused, they put together some quality hurling and their first touch impressed. They need to build on this win and iron out the flaws.

It was 2-11 to 0-7 in Westmeath’s favour at half-time following goals from Cian McKeogh and MJ Long: McKeogh’s was a terrific finish in the ninth minute, following Cian Fleming’s long free, while Long pounced when Burke’s initial shot was saved by the Meath ’keeper Patrick Casey on 25 minutes.

It was a first half largely controlled by Westmeath, although their execution fell short at times in the opening stages as Meath established a three-point lead through Louis McIvor (two) and Kosei Kirwan – McIvor’s wonderful point from a sideline cut from around 60 metres the pick of the early scores. Meath clearly believed they could win this one and the game had a decent tempo to it for long spells.

Westmeath got on top in the second quarter, scoring five unanswered points to lead by 1-7 to 0-4; Williams was pivotal to this, his improved accuracy from frees a major factor. McKeogh and Burke also chipped in with scores. The goals added to it, giving the Lake County a strong platform.

Burke’s point 12 seconds after the restart suggested Westmeath would push on and win with plenty to spare, but Meath refused to capitulate. A Cormac Mulligan goal after 90 seconds gave them renewed hope, following McIvor’s delivery from a free.

Still, Westmeath were comfortable when Padraig Monaghan fired home a wonderful goal with a fine strike from an acute angle in the ninth minute, after substitute Finn Higgins played the telling pass. Higgins, Burke and Williams (free) were on target for minors as the home side surged 15 points clear, 3-16 to 1-7, with 20 minutes remaining.

Cue a Meath resurgence which added greatly to a keenly contested championship match. McIvor’s powerful free seemed to be going over, but Niall Brady got a partial touch with the hurl and the ball ended up in the Westmeath net. Belief grew and points followed from Callum Buckley – who had goal on his mind – and Conor Horan, before Kirwan found the net with a low strike after his initial shot was blocked. McIvor’s frees added to a great spell for the Royals and it made for an interesting finish as Westmeath led by 3-18 to 3-11 with six minutes of normal time to play.

Burke’s hat-trick of points eased Westmeath nerves at this juncture as he produced a tour de force when it mattered. Meath grabbed an injury-time point via a McIvor free, but by then the result had been decided and it was Westmeath who took the spoils, building on their previous victory over Wicklow.

Meath lost marginally to Offaly in round one and will be aiming to bounce back when they meet Antrim in a fortnight. Westmeath will play Antrim next Saturday and a third victory will keep them on course to advance from the group.

Scorers - Westmeath: C Williams 0-10 (5f), D Burke 0-7, C McKeogh and P Monaghan 1-1 each, MJ Long 1-0, F Higgins 0-2. Meath: L McIvor 1-8 (7f; 1 s/line), K Kirwan 1-1, S Snow 1-0, C Buckley, C Horan and E Flanagan 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Niall Brady; Dara Mulligan, Ted Aherne, Dylan Gaffney; Eanna Kiernan, Cian Fleming, Conor Cleary; Dillon Burke, Oisín McCauley; Eoghan Beehan, Cian McKeogh, Conor Maleady; MJ Long, Padraig Monaghan, Conor Williams. Subs: Seán Byrne for Cleary and Finn Higgins for Beehan (36), Ronan Lawlor for Mulligan (55), Donnacha Briody for Long (58), James Ryan for Kiernan (inj., 60+2).

Meath: Patrick Casey; Seán Harrigan, Luke Madden, Euan Kerr; León Harris, Jack McKeown, Ruairi McCaffrey; Callum Buckley, Conor Óg Ferguson; Conor Horan, Louis McIvor, Kosei Kirwan; Eoin Flanagan, Sebastian Snow, Pierce Anderson. Subs: Joel Mangan for Anderson (inj., 26), Ciaran O’Brien for Ferguson (h-t),  Jake Doherty for Flanagan (44), Eoghan McDonald for McKeown (41).

Referee: Kyle Waters (Offaly).