Hurling League Roundup:Silverware for Westmeath, Armagh, Roscommon and Fermanagh
Brendan Murtagh fired seven points including Westmeath’s lone second half score, as the Lake County claimed a first ever Division 2A success with 0-10 to 0-8 win over Carlow in O’Connor Park, Tullamore.
Weather conditions proved testing for both sides, who were meeting for the second time in a week, after Carlow had claimed a 0-20 to 1-15 in their final group game the previous Sunday.
Westmeath failed to score for the closing 28 minutes of this contest, and had to withstand strong second half pressure from Carlow, with 18-year old Kevin McDonald (0-4) impressive from placed balls.
Eight second half wides, including seven in the opening 15 minutes of the second half ultimately proved costly for Carlow, who managed to cut the gap to two points in the first minute of second half injury-time, but failed to get the goal they craved for victory.
Westmeath captain Aonghus Clarke accepted the cup after the game. His side will now face the loser of next week’s Laois/Kerry playoff in a fortnight for the right to play in Division 1B in 2017.
Armagh took revenge for an earlier two-point loss to neighbours Down, to take Division 2B honours, following a 0-20 to 1-15 win at Dowdallshill.
Down started strongly with Danny Toner (0-07) firing their first four points, as they led 0-04 to 0-01 early on.
However, Armagh battled back through free-taker Ryan Gaffney (0-11) and Conor Corvan, with the sides level on three occasions mid-way through the half, until a Stephen Reneghan score handed Armagh a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Armagh led by 0-12 to 0-07 at half-time, although just two points separated the sides in the 48th minute, after Chris Egan netted for Down.
The Orchard County managed to keep on top with goalkeeper Simon Doherty denying Scott Nicholson of a goal, with Gaffney and Declan Coulter (0-4) also impressive.
Goals from Cillian Egan (2) and Chris Duignan in the final 20 minutes saw Roscommon crowned Division 3A champions, with a 4-15 to 0-7 win over Monaghan at Ballyshannon.
Justin Campbell’s side led by 1-04 to 0-02 after 11 minutes, with Adrian Murphy netting their goal, but didn’t score again until the second half.
Stephen Lambe (0-05) and Fergal Rafter helped cut the gap to the minimum at the interval, but Roscommon kicked on in the second half.
Longford lost their second Division 3B in a row, as Fermanagh staged a strong second half display, with a 2-13 to 3-8 win in Markievicz Park, Sligo.
Two early Cathal Mullane goals saw the Midlanders make a strong start, with Longford leading by 2-06 to 1-02 after 26 minutes, before a Conor McShea goal helped the Erne County cut the gap to three points at the break.
Despite Joe O'Brien netting for Longford five minutes after the restart, Fermanagh turned the tables with captain Ryan Bogue, Sean Corrigan and Daniel Teague impressive.
Bogue levelled the tie for the first time in the 44th minute, with a spectacular score from his own 45 metre line.
Fermanagh failed to score in the closing 16 minutes, with O'Brien adding two further points for Longford, but
he also missed some crucial frees, including a 55th minute effort which saw his goal shot blocked, as Fermanagh held out for victory.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
