Westmeath hold on tight in uninspiring championship start
Westmeath 2-10, Longford 1-10 Two first half goals by Westmeath – the subject of much debate and contention after the final whistle – put Longford to the sword, although the hosts fought their way back into the Midlands derby with a late surge, leaving the Lakesiders looking nervous. Even though Westmeath`s performance was picked apart mercilessly by RTÉ analysts, by Longford boss, Luke Dempsey, and even by some of their loyal supporters, manager Tomás Ó Flatharta will nevertheless be happy that his players have accomplished a difficult mission, amidst the hoodoo of defeat in last year`s corresponding fixture. The win marks Westmeath`s first triumph in the Leinster championship proper since July 2004, when they conquered Laois in the provincial final replay at Croke Park. It also sends the Maroons into a quarter-final clash with Offaly, and although they will undoubtedly be ranked as favourites to progress to the last four, a huge improvement on their opening foray will be a must. A much different Westmeath outfit faced Longford on Sunday than the one which faced the O`Farrell men a year ago. Different, not in terms of structure (thirteen of last year`s line-up started on Sunday), but in terms of attitude and attacking flair. What`s more, they had the buoying effect of league success and a win over Dublin behind them, and all of this contributed to their successful reversal of the one-goal defeat at Pearse Park in May 2007. Prior to the game, Westmeath were hit by the news that Athlone forward Dermot Bannon – who led the Dubs a merry dance in the league final – had been ruled out through illness, forcing Ó Flatharta to play Dessie Dolan for a full seventy minutes. Among the forwards, there were no stars like Bannon this time around. But in midfield, Martin Flanagan once again led by example. The GPA Player of the Month for April turned out yet another stunning display of power and accuracy, helping himself to three points in the process. Flanagan`s contribution – which earned him RTÉ`s Man of the Match award – epitomised the class which Westmeath will have to call on if they are to turn league success into championship glory. The Tyrrellspass man was the Lake County`s outstanding performer, with the fabled Westmeath defence taking a back seat amidst a couple of nervous moments, despite notable contributions from Francis Boyle, an ever-improving Kieran Gavin, and the industrious Damien Healy. Goalkeeper and captain Gary Connaughton, reliable as ever, made a terrific save from Longford`s Brian Kavanagh shortly before half time. First half goals came from Alan Mangan (a penalty) and Denis Glennon, the duo who did most of the legwork for Westmeath`s vanguard. This left Longford five adrift at the break (2-4 to 0-5), but in reality the lead flattered the Lakesiders. Westmeath pulled away after the restart, and when Mangan pointed on 58 to make it 2-9 to 0-7, a rout looked on the cards for the visitors. Sunday`s uninspiring but keenly contested encounter was played in front over 8,000 supporters, with the majority - approximately 5,000 - making the short trip from the Lake County. First blood Moments later, Westmeath charged ahead. After a lightning fast move involving Donal O`Donoghue, Damien Healy and Mangan, Healy handpassed across the face of goal to find Denis Glennon. Glennon couldn`t find the target, but was adjudged to have been pulled down by his marker, and referee Michael Hughes awarded a penalty. Mangan, who played such a key role in the move which led to the penalty, stepped up to the task, and his low drive was palmed by Longford custodian, Damien Sheridan into the corner of the net. But the Lakesiders couldn`t get themselves off the mark from play, and when a tired looking Dessie Dolan shot wide after seven minutes, it would be another twenty before Westmeath could conjure something from open play. However, Longford weren`t innocent of missing chances. Wides from Francis McGee and Brian Kavanagh (2) marked a sloppy first quarter for the O`Farrell men. McGee overshot one or two passes and missing a couple of frees, resulting in a personal tally of four wides in the first half hour. In the mean time, Martin Flanagan extended Westmeath`s lead with his second free of the afternoon. Another free, this time from the boot of Dessie Dolan, extended the Maroons` advantage to five after Denis Glennon went down thanks to a robust challenge from Declan Reilly. Longford reduced the arrears on 20 when McGee finally found his range with a free. The Longford comeback continued apace when McGee shot over another dead ball opportunity, this time after a harsh decision against Martin Flanagan. The men in blue and gold were floating on cloud nine when Brian Kavanagh converted a terrific sideline ball to reduce the deficit to two points. But cometh the half hour, cometh the man - well, not really the half hour, but 27 minutes nonetheless. Flanagan - repeating some of the deadly accuracy he has shown in recent games - delivered a spectacular point from play from about 35 metres. Still, Longford were unfazed, and continued to press Westmeath`s rearguard. Kevin Mulligan clipped a point attempt off the upright, and even though the Longford advance was halted by a foul on Fergal Wilson (resulting in a yellow card for corner back, Diarmuid Masterson), they continued to hold the momentum. Corner forward Jamesie Martin - who had been anonymous until the half-hour mark - delivered a superb point from the right wing after a neat pass from Paddy Dowd. Glennon showed remarkable tenacity in creating a goal out of nothing, but the only problem was that - as match footage demonstrated - he appeared to overcarry en route to goal. But the amount of steps he took went unnoticed by referee Michael Hughes, and the goal stood, to much objection from Longford supremo, Luke Dempsey. The former Westmeath manager also opined that his Longford charges “had to work harder” to win frees, but two minutes after Glennon`s goal, the Tyrone ref booked Damien Healy for a foul on Brian Kavanagh. Kavanagh almost had the final say of the half when he was put through on goal by Paddy Dowd, but his close range shot was smothered by an alert Gary Connaughton, and Westmeath maintained a fortuitous five point lead at the interval. Impact At the other end, the O`Farrell County`s misfortune intensified, and Fergal Wilson converted a free after a foul on Martin Flanagan. Barden found himself yellow carded after a misplaced shoulder on Doran Harte, and moments later, his brother David failed to find his range as yet another scoring opportunity went a-begging. Westmeath`s John Smyth joined Barden in the referee`s book, before the adventurous Noel Farrell set up Barden for his first point of the game on 47, amid some weak defending from Westmeath. Dessie Dolan restored Westmeath`s two goal advantage with a close range free from about 13 metres, after he had been fouled by Longford captain Liam Keenan; Keenan was duly booked for the challenge. Longford made further changes, with Shane Mulligan replacing Padraig Berry, and Peter Foy later taking to the field in place of the injured Kevin Mulligan. In the intervening time, Westmeath looked poised to bury the home side when they upped a gear in attack, not before Longford`s Jamesie Martin shot over a free after he was downed by John Keane. Westmeath led 2-7 to 0-7 after yet another free from Fergal Wilson, awarded after Denis Glennon was fouled by Arthur O`Connor. David Duffy was introduced in place of Doran Harte, making a welcome return to the team after his recent injury. The positive impact which Duffy`s arrival had was immediately evident. Dessie Dolan played a precision pass into the half forward line, which was picked up by Glennon. The Tyrrellspass stalwart duly turned his marker and kicked between the posts. A minute later, the Maroons extended their lead to eight points, Damien Healy and Dolan linking up with Alan Mangan, before the St. Malachy`s man fired a beautiful minor from the right hand side. Longford`s frustration continued, with Jamesie Martin flagged wide after what looked like a decent point, and star forward Brian Kavanagh booked after unceremoniously flooring his energetic marker, Kieran Gavin. But just when victory appeared inevitable for the visitors, Longford entered a purple patch. Martin kicked a pressure-relieving free on 63, minutes before Westmeath`s back six took their eye of the ball, and were swiftly punished. Attacking corner back Noel Farrell, receiving a pass from substitute Dermot Brady, tore down the centre of the field before splitting the Westmeath defence with a terrific handpass. Paul Barden - a looming threat to the Lakesiders throughout the game - latched onto Farrell`s ball, and his low shot ended up in the back of the net, despite a deflection off the outstretched paw of Gary Connaughton. To say Westmeath were shell-shocked is an understatement, and what was once a commanding lead was decimated by Barden`s major, which was followed by a superb point from Brian Kavanagh on the left hand side - his first point from play. The Longford marauders continued to pillage and plunder, with Kavanagh striking the upright with another effort, and corner back Diarmuid Sheridan venturing forward in stoppage time to deliver a remarkable 35 metre point to reduce the arrears to a mere two points. Conceding another goal would mean catastrophe for Tomás Ó Flatharta`s charges, who had taken their feet off the collective pedal, with nightmarish consequences. An insurance score was desperately needed, and as Longford`s challenge fizzled out, the opportunity came in the form of another free, after the oft-hassled Dessie Dolan was the victim of yet another rough challenge. Fergal Wilson converted the resulting kick, guaranteeing Westmeath a trip to Tullamore on June 7. Scorers: Westmeath – A. Mangan (1-0 penalty) and Denis Glennon 1-1 each, M Flanagan and F. Wilson (frees) 0-3 each, D. Dolan 0-2 (frees). Longford – P. Barden 1-1, J. Martin 0-3 (2 frees), F. McGee (frees) and B. Kavanagh (0-1 sideline) 0-2 each, K. Mulligan and D. Masterson 0-1 each. Westmeath: Gary Connaughton (capt.); Francis Boyle, Kieran Gavin, John Keane; Michael Ennis, Derek Heavin, Damien Healy; Donal O`Donoghue, Martin Flanagan; Fergal Wilson, John Smyth, Doran Harte; Alan Mangan, Denis Glennon, Dessie Dolan. Sub used: David Duffy for Harte (54). Longford: Damien Sheridan; Noel Farrell, Arthur O`Connor, Diarmuid Masterson; Declan C. Reilly, Enda Williams, Paul Kelly; Liam Keenan (capt.), Paddy Dowd; Kevin Mulligan, Paul Barden, Padraig Berry; Jamesie Martin, Brian Kavanagh, Francis McGee. Subs used: David Barden for McGee (h/time), Shane Mulligan for Berry (49), Peter Foy for Mulligan (inj., 57), Conor Casey for Kelly (64), Dermot Brady for O`Connor (64).