Westmeath grind out win but fail to impress

ONE can only surmise how either Westmeath or Wicklow would have fared in the Leinster SFC semi-final, but on the basis of the regulation 70 minutes yesterday, not very well.

Only Pat Gilroy’s Dublin would be smiling at the poor quality before extra time saw Tomas O Flatharta’s side advance for a meeting with the reigning provincial champions.

Mick O’Dwyer’s squad were within touching distance of a shock from the moment Dean Odlum benefited from a mistake by Westmeath keeper Gary Connaughton to goal in the 34th minute. Afterwards O’Dwyer admitted Wicklow’s early penalty miss was costly.

Westmeath came into the game after a very poor league campaign blighted by injuries. Worryingly for Tomas O Flatharta, they have further problems ahead of the Dublin game. On the credit side, 19-year-old Conor Lynam had an impressive debut at left corner-forward, David O’Shaughnessy made an immediate impact after coming on nearing the end of normal time and Dessie Dolan – still troubled by a knee problem – also contributed after being introduced around the same time.

Wicklow made a slow start, being three points down after 13 minutes. However, once they began to find their feet, they defended more tightly, midfielder James Stafford was winning good ball and with captain Leighton Glynn prominent, they showed promise in attack.

Nevertheless, progress was slow because their finishing was weak and, as the game developed, Westmeath were not any more effective in their use of the ball. It was noteworthy Denis Glennon was not in the game at all at full-forward, but it emerged after he had a hamstring scare after training last Thursday night. Lynam looked the best of the forwards, with Doran Harte also doing well on the flank outside him and Fergal Wilson often prominent in the right corner.

Failing to take advantage of a penalty as early as the 10th minute – Connaughton saved comfortably from Tony Hannon’s shot – Wicklow were more resourceful in the period leading up to half-time. Hannon, who had missed several other chances, put over a 31st minute free and Odlum had the ball in the net three minutes later after Connaughton lost possession in a tackle.

At the break, it was 1-3 to 0-4.

Westmeath showed more urgency on the resumption. Glennon scored from play after putting over a free and Lynam also contributed two points. The effect was to put them back in the lead again and, gaining in confidence, they were boosted by a great score from John Duffy, who was showing more leadership at midfield, notably while Martin Flanagan (in his first game back after injury) struggled with the pace of the game.

A few minutes before, Wicklow lost full-back Damien Power with an ankle injury and much to the annoyance of the Wicklow management, the referee allowed play continue until he was confronted on the field by the team doctor and halted play.

Westmeath went close to a goal in the 60th minute when ‘keeper Mervyn Travers denied substitute Michael Ennis. Kieran Gavin was doing excellent work at full-back for them, O’Shaughnessy and Dolan were having an influence, along with Ennis and Damien Healy.

Scores were level again in the 64th minute before Hannon had Wicklow in front with two minutes of normal time left. But with five minutes of time added on, Westmeath had time to come back – and did so through Wilson. Hannon then failed from a late 45 and the teams finished level, 0-11 to 1-8.

Wicklow were back at full strength after having lost wing-back Patrick McWalter through a second yellow card in injury time, but they were under pressure when Glennon pointed within 50 seconds and Dolan scored two minutes later. Still, only a point separated the teams at the break, but the momentum was with Westmeath.

Scorers for Westmeath: F. Wilson 0-5 (0-4 frees); C. Lynam 0-4; D. Glennon 0-3 (0-1 free); K. Scally, F. Boyle, J. Duffy and D. Dolan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wicklow: D. Odlum 1-1; T. Hannon 0-4 frees; L. Glynn, S. Furlong, J. Stafford, J.P. Dalton and D. Hayden 0-1 each.

Subs for Westmeath: M. Ennis for Scally (39); D. Healy for Heavin (60); D. Dolan for Harte (63); D. O’Shaughnessy for Flanagan (64); J. Connellan for Murtagh (68); Harte for O’Donoghue (80); Flanagan for Duffy (82); C. Reilly for Smyth (90).

Subs for Wicklow: B. McGrath for Dalton (42); D. Hayden for Power (49); S. Kelly for Byrne (52); C. Jones for Nolan (65); JP Dalton for Jones (70); P. Cunningham for Earls (81).

Referee: J. McQuillan (Cavan).