14-man Kerry denied at the death as  Westmeath claim point

Kerry led by six with 20 minutes to go and by four with eight minutes remaining.

David Williams scored 0-6 for  Westmeath. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Allianz HL Division 2A: Kerry 2-11 Westmeath 0-17 

A last-gasp point from midfielder Eamon Cunneen broke Kerry hearts as Westmeath snatched a share of the spoils from the jaws of defeat at the Austin Stack Park.

Though Kerry played with 14 for more than half the game, they led by six with 20 minutes to go and by four with eight minutes left on the clock. But Westmeath hung in there and Killian Doyle had two points in added time to close the gap.

Referee Ciaran O’Regan then held up the play to brandish a red card to Darragh McCormack. But as Kerry were shouting for the whistle, Cunneen collected a loose ball and fired over the equaliser that saw the game in a draw.

Westmeath celebrated as if they had won, but it was a tough pill for manager Tweek Griffin and Kerry to swallow. But they were partially architects of their own downfall as they wasted 18 scoring chances.

Westmeath never threatened to score a goal and were reliant on Killian Doyle and David Williams who contributed 0-13 between them.

Kerry began as if they meant business but a failure to convert their chances into scores was a major drawback.

Kerry did score two goals in the opening half but a turning point came when Ronan Walsh was issued with a second yellow card in the 28th minute, meaning it was going to be difficult to match Westmeath in the second half.

Early points from Eamonn Cunneen, Killian Doyle and Peter Clarke saw Westmeath lead 0-3 to 0-0 after 15 minutes. But Kerry had wasted numerous chances, including three frees from Ronan Walsh, with one coming back off the post.

Kerry eventually got going in the 16th minute when Tom Doyle finished to the Westmeath net after a long James O’Connor delivery was knocked into his path by Michael Slattery.

Kevin Goulding and Micheal Leane added points but Ronan Walsh added a free before he struck for a goal after a poor Westmeath puckout. Two minutes later Walsh was dismissed and Kerry folk feared the worst though the home side led by 2-5 to 0-7.

Kerry upped their game with their fullback line of Kyle O’Connor, Sean McGrath and Eric Leen impregnable and with Oisin Maunsell taking over the free taking; he added three points. Kerry led 2-8 to 0-8 by the 50th minute.

But as Kerry tired, David Williams was deadly accurate from frees and 65s to bring Westmeath back into it.

Kerry face London at home on Saturday next and if they improve their finishing, they will be still be in with a chance of a reaching the league final.

Scorers for Kerry: O Maunsell (0-7, 5fs, 1’65), R Walsh (1-1), T Doyle (1-0), M Slattery (0-2), M Leane (0-1) 

Scorers for Westmeath: K Doyle (0-7, 4fs), D Williams (0-6, 2’fs, 2’65’s), E Cunneen (0-2, 1s/l), J Bermingham and P Clarke (0-1each) 

KERRY: C Bohane; K O’Connor, S McGrath, E Leen; J O’Connor, J Diggins, M Leane; A Segal, K Goulding; T Doyle, R Walsh, J Brick; O Maunsell, D Casey, M Slattery.

Subs: G Dooley for J Brick (54), I Conway for D Casey (58), H Lenihan for a Segal (64), N O’Mahony for K Goulding (73) 

WESTMEATH: S Jackson; S Williams, C Shaw, C McKeogh; M Cunningham, J Bermingham, R Keyes; K Doyle, E Cunneen; D Williams, K Regan, J Coll; E Keyes, D McCormack, P Clarke.

Subs: J Fry for J Coll (h/t), A Shaw for K Regan (45), J Gillen for J Bermingham (65) 

Referee: C O’Regan (Cork)