O'Connor fires 1-10 as slick Kerry upset Westmeath in Joe McDonagh Cup

 Kerry's Maurice O’Connor Pic ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Joe McDonagh Cup: Kerry 1-20 Westmeath 1-12 

In brilliant sunshine, Kerry produced a five-star performance to defeat a fancied Westmeath side who turned over the ball under pressure and were guilty of wasting 18 scoring chances.

Following their stint in Division 1 of the Allianz Hurling League, Westmeath were hot favourites against a Kerry side who only managed one win in Division 2A.

But Stephan Molumphy always maintained his side would come good in the championship and that proved the case.

Kerry dominated the opening quarter, racing 0-4 to 0-0 inside the opening eight minutes. Ronan Walsh fired over from out on the wing, they had two Maurice O’Connor frees, while a superb point from wing back Kyle O’Connor followed.

Westmeath did not open their scoring until the tenth minute when Killian Doyle converted a free.

Evan Murphy, Daithi Griffin, Eric Leen and Fionan Mackessy were hurling like veterans for Kerry, while Westmeath were on the back foot. Though two more Doyle points gave them hope as they began to win more breaking ball.

Colin Walsh and Ronan Walsh were now driving forward as Kerry were ravenous for ball. Points from Maurice O’Connor (2), Darragh Shanahan and Ronan Walsh saw Kerry move 0-8 to 0-3 in front by the 25th minute. Killian Doyle and Fionan Mackessy swapped scores as Westmeath finished the half with purpose, adding points from Tommy Doyle and Shane McGovern. But Kerry were the happier side at the interval, retiring 0-9 to 0-6 in front.

An early second half Doyle point had the Westmeath supporters believing that the fightback was on but  Maurice O’Connor replied.

Driven on by Fionan Mackessy. Kerry hit a purple patch between the 49th and 57th minutes, outscoring the hosts 0-5 to 0-1 with points from Killian Hayes, Ronan Walsh, Maurice O’Connor and Mackessy. Westmeath were five adrift and in trouble.

Westmeath were not throwing in the towel, despite being without Davy Glennon and Aaron Craig and it was full back Tommy Doyle raced through to blast the ball to the Kerry net and suddenly it was game on, 0-17 to 1-12 and ten minutes left.

But Kerry were not to be denied as every player fought for ball as if their lives depended on it, and Mossie O’Connor and Mackessy pushed Kerry four clear again. Doyle closed the gap with another free but then the Kingdom sealed the deal in added time when Fionan Mackessy drove a long ball into the Westmeath danger area for Maurice O’Connor to blast the ball to the net and Kerry had claimed a major scalp and now it’s Down at home next weekend.

Scorers for Westmeath: K Doyle (0-11, 7 frees); T Doyle (1-1); A Clarke, S McGovern (0-1 each) 

Scorers for Kerry: M O’Connor (1-10, 10 frees); F Mackessy (0-4, 2 frees);  R Walsh (0-3); K O’Connor, K Hayes, D Shanahan (0-1 each)   

WESTMEATH: N Conaty, J Bermingham, T Doyle, K Regan, D Egerton, A Clarke, C McCormack, R Greville, S McGovern, N Mitchell, K Doyle, O McCabe, D Clinton, J Boyle, J Gillen 

Subs: D Williams for D Clinton, 29, D O’Reilly for J Gillen, 29, P Clarke for S McGovern, 41, E Keyes for O McCabe, 49, C Doyle for J Boyle, 29 

KERRY: L Dee, E Murphy, F McCarthy, D Griffin, K O’Connor, F Mackessy, E Leen, D Shanahan, C Walsh, R Walsh, K Hayes, N Mulcahy, L Crowley, M Leane, M O’Connor 

Subs: G Dooley for N Mulcahy, 44, B Barrett for L Crowley, 55, D Woulfe for M Leane, 55, B Keane for F McCarthy, 70(+1) Blood: B Keane for E Leen, 67-70 

Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny)