Two-pointers key in Westmeath comeback as they defeat Kildare in O'Byrne Cup final

Aside from lifting a rare piece of silverware, it was also a useful three-game campaign from the point of view of assessing new talents like Harry Niall while there was a welcome return for former AFL player Ray Connellan.

Fri, 16 Jan, 2026 - 21:44

Paul Keane

O'Byrne Cup final: Westmeath 1-18 (1-6-6) Kildare 1-16 (1-4-8)

Luke Loughlin and Ronan Wallace highlighted just how important two-point scores have become, nailing one after another late on to secure a dramatic O'Byrne Cup final comeback win for Westmeath.

Down by eight points with 16 minutes remaining in Newbridge, Westmeath reeled off no less than five two-pointers, along with a goal from the inspired Wallace, to turn a near lost cause into a memorable fifth title success.

They registered six two-pointers overall with Tailteann Cup Team of the Year member Luke Loughlin firing over three of those and finishing with 0-8.

But Wallace outdid him with a quite incredible display, tallying 1-7 from his wing-back position, a haul that included three two-pointers and the 48th minute green flag score that really ignited Westmeath.

It's a terrific start to life under new manager Mark McHugh and augurs well ahead of Sunday week's Allianz League Division 3 opener against Sligo.

Kildare will be disappointed to let slip such a big lead, particularly on home soil where they hadn't been beaten in a competitive game since the ground was redeveloped.

But it was more precious game time for Brian Flanagan's young side with goalscorer Liam Kelly and Ben Loakman, who hit 1-3 between them, coming off last year's U20 team. Several more starters came from the successful U20 sides that Flanagan managed in 2022 and 2023.

Veteran Kevin Feely took on the early responsibility for Kildare and boomed over a two-pointer that cracked a seal.

Full-forwarwd Loakman found space at the top of the arc soon after and split the posts for another one. Clearly inspired, Brian McLoughlin then took on a two-point attempt from way out on the right wing and, again, an orange flag score was the result.

The exhibition of long-range scoring left Kildare 0-6 to 0-1 up after just eight minutes - and apparently ready to cut loose.

But they then went 21 minutes without scoring and only hit the interval with a 0-8 to 0-4, a wasteful period that would come back to haunt them.

It was a better second-half, from both teams, full of energy and invention.

Kildare used the third quarter to put significant daylight between the teams. Loakman hit the point of the half when he sold his man a sumptuous dummy and screwed one over off the outside of his boot.

Kelly came on and netted within minutes, scoring from close range after a scrum in front of the posts.

With 44 minutes on the clock, Kildare led by 1-13 to 0-8 and looked all set to collect their 12 title and first since 2014. Westmeath, however, beaten at this venue by the Lilywhites in last year's Leinster championship, simply refused to accept defeat again.

And Wallace was the man who dragged them to a brilliant win, cutting in from the left and slamming to the net in the 48th minute to cut the deficit to just two.

Alex Beirne points for Kildare kept Westmeath at bay in the closing minutes but when Wallace and Loughlin closed out the game with two-point scores, it sealed a brave win for the Lake County, their first in this competition since 2019.

Scorers for Westmeath: R Wallace 1-7 (3 tp), L Loughlin 0-8 (3 tp, 1 45), D McCartan 0-2, S Baker 0-1 (0-1f).

Scorers for Kildare: A Beirne 0-5 (1 tp, 1 free), B McLoughlin 0-4 (1 tp), L Kelly 1-0, B Loakman 0-3 (1 tp), K Feely 0-2 (tp), E Cully, C Bolton 0-1 each

KILDARE: C Burke; H O'Neill, P Spillane, R Burke; J Harris, E Lawlor, B Byrne; K Feely, B Gibbons; B McLoughlin, A Beirne, C Bolton; S Doran, B Loakman, E Cully.

Subs: L Kelly for Doran h/t, M Spillane for Lawlor 45, D Swords for P Spillane 53, D Mangan for Gibbons 57.

WESTMEATH: J Connaughton; T Baker, C Drumm, B Sayeh; R Wallace, D Scahill, J Lynam; H Niall, R Connellan; S Baker, B Guerin, B Kelly; D McCartan, L Loughlin, M Whittaker.

Subs: B Cooney for Guerin h/t, K O'Sullivan for Niall h/t, R Forde for Kelly 42, T Molloy for McCartan 42, TJ Cox for S Baker 42, J Duncan for Lynam 52.

Referee: K Williamson (Offaly).