McCarthy points pace-setters Monaghan past Westmeath

Despite starting slowly in both halves, Gabriel Bannigan’s Monaghan led for the majority of the match, spurred on by a sparkling performance from wing-back Conor McCarthy, who kicked seven points from play. 

Conor McCarthy of Monaghan. Pic: Andrew Paton/Inpho

AFL Division 2: Monaghan 2-29 (2-4-21) Westmeath 2-21 (2-4-13)

Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan feels that the FRC will need to revisit the numbers of substitutes allowed during inter-county games, given the pace of the football being played under the new rules, which contributed to a fast-paced, high-scoring win for his team over Westmeath in Clones.

Bannigan noted: “I don’t think five or six is enough, I think we need to look at seven or eight subs with the pace of the game and the amount of kilometres the players in the middle eight are doing. I’m a huge fan of the new rules, they’re exciting, but let’s give managements the opportunity of replacing the players who need to be replaced.” 

Describing Conor McCarthy, who kicked seven points from play in a sparkling performance from wing-back until limping off late on shortly before teammate Michael Hamil, Bannigan said: “We’ll keep building, but [the injuries for Hamil and McCarthy] are disappointing.” 

Hamill had to be stretchered off with a knee injury, that Bannigan said looks “particularly nasty”, adding “please God it’s not as bad as it looks”.

Despite starting slowly in both halves, Monaghan led for the majority of the match, leaving a game Westmeath side with nothing to show for their efforts to date under Dermot McCabe.

Westmeath started brightly with early points from Luke Loughlin and Brían Cooney, but Monaghan responded through the impressive McCarthy and a two-point free by Rory Beggan, during a spell where the hosts took control in the middle third. 

Neither side could maintain dominance for long and while Westmeath stayed in touch via two-point efforts from Loughlin (free) and Sam McCartan, David Garland managed one of his own at the other end.

McCarthy had four points to his name by the half-hour mark as Monaghan pushed their tally well into double figures, but Westmeath were right back in it when Ronan Wallace struck the opening goal. Monaghan hit back in style, though, with a Ryan O’Toole goal making it 1-15 to 1-9 at half-time.

Westmeath were on the front foot again at the start of the second half, with Robbie Forde scrambling to the net. The gap was back down to the minimum, but Monaghan were always able to retain a narrow lead.

Loughlin landed a brace of two-point frees to finish in double digits for a second week in a row, only for Monaghan to end with a flourish, as sub McCarron fired home their second goal.

This was an early endorsement of the new rules and for Monaghan, a second win means they join Roscommon in setting the pace in Division Two.

Monaghan: R Beggan (0-4, 2 2-pt-f); D Byrne, K Lavelle (0-1), R Wylie; C McNulty (0-1), R O’Toole (1-0), C McCarthy (0-7); M McCarville, G McPhillips; R McAnespie (0-2), B McBennett, M Hamill (0-1); D Garland (0-5, 1 2-pt, 1f, 1m), S Mooney (0-6, 1 2-pt, 3f), S Jones.

Subs: B McCaul for McPhillips (48); J McCarron (1-2) for Jones, J Irwin for McBennett (both 50); K Loughran for McAnespie (inj., 61); D McDonnell for McCarthy (inj., 67).

Westmeath: C McCormack; J Gonoud, C Dillon (0-1), D Giles; D McCartan, C Drumm, S McCartan (0-3, 1 2-pt); R Wallace (1-0), E McCabe (0-1); K O’Sullivan, B Cooney (0-1), M Whittaker (0-2); R Forde (1-2, 0-1f), L Loughlin (0-10, 3 2-pt, 2f), S Smith.

Subs: B Kelly (0-1) for Smith (H-T); E Gaffney for O’Sullivan (47); F O’Hara for Cooney (53); K Martin for D McCartan (58); J Geoghegan for Forde (68).

Referee: K Eannetta (Tyrone).