Paul Sharry shines as Westmeath shake off Wicklow

Westmeath 1-14 Wicklow 0-13: Westmeath enjoyed a winning start to 2016, overcoming Wicklow by four points in their O’Byrne Cup opener at Bray yesterday.

The visitors drew first blood, with points from sharp-shooting forwards John Connellan and Shane Dempsey, who between them accounted for seven points as they led by 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time.

Wicklow lined out with a new look team, with just one player from county champions Rathnew, Ross O’Brien, who picked up a black card 24 minutes into second half.