Raharney’s late show sinks Crookedwood

The opening round of the Westmeath SHC was played over the weekend with all eight teams taking part in the double headers of games played in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Saturday and Sunday evening.

The opening game last evening saw Crookedwood, last year’s Intermediate champions, almost cause a major shock against a hotly-fancied Raharney side.

Crookedwood were reduced to 14 players as early as the ninth minute when Edward Nally was sent off, but they turned in a resilient performance to lead 0-13 to 0-11 entering the final minute. However, an injury-time goal by Robbie Greville saved Raharney and gave them victory by a single point, 1-11 to 0-13.

On Saturday evening holders Clonkill overcame Castlepollard, as expected, 2-16 to 1-9. However, the main talking point here was the sending off of four players, three from Castlepollard and one from Clonkill. Clonkill led at half-time 2-9 to 0-3 with goals from Gary Healy and Niall Dowdall, with Alan Devine grabbing a late goal for Castlepollard.

In the opening game of the weekend St. Oliver Plunkett’s from Mullingar gave a good account of themselves against Lough Lene Gaels from Collinstown, but, as expected, The Gaels ran out winners 2-15 to 2-11. Darragh McCormack and Martin McNicholas got the goals for the Gaels with Cian O’Leary scoring a late goal for Plunkett’s, after Plunkett’s had missed a second half penalty.

In the final game of the weekend last evening, last year’s beaten finalists Castletown-Geoghegan easily defeated Delvin 1-23 to 0-12. Delvin turned in a spirited first half performance to trail by two points, 0-10 to 0-12, but Castletown dominated the second half and a 32nd minute goal by Ciaran Glennon paved the way for a comfortable win for the Castletown men.