Westmeath gear up for semi with Limerick challenge

By Gerry Buckley -- Both Westmeath and Limerick will be pleased to have emerged with a draw as they wrapped up their match preparations for their upcoming big games against Louth and Kerry respectively, with an entertaining and competitive challenge game in very warm conditions at the Gaelic Grounds last Saturday afternoon.Westmeath fielded Kevin Maguire at left full-back in an otherwise unchanged 1 to 9 from the side which knocked Wicklow out of the Leinster Championship on June 6th. Indeed, the Caulry man took the opportunity to play an eye-catching role in a line which struggled at times against a livewire Shannonside full-forward trio.However, only Conor Lynam, who again played very well despite limping somewhat as he entered the pitch, remained from the attacking sextet which started against the Garden County. Veterans Damien Healy and the recently-returned Derek Heavin strangely donned the number 10 and 12 jerseys, with the Castledaly man taking his chance to show he still has quite a bit to offer, popping over three fine points from play in a somewhat unaccustomed forward position. Further forward, Des Dolan was flanked by under-21 stars, James Durkan and Tommy McDaniel, who both made the scoresheet with an opportunist goal and a fine point respectively. Denis Glennon's late cameo proved crucial as he slotted over a deserved equaliser from a difficult free in the last minute of normal time.Match referee Brian Tyrrell (Tipperary) got the game under way shortly after noon and it was the men in green and white who started very brightly, Seanie Buckley beating Gary Connaughton with a low shot to the net after only 50 seconds.However, Westmeath edged ahead by the seventh minute, courtesy of a converted free by Des Dolan and a toe-poked goal from point-blank range from James Durkan, after Tommy McDaniel's high ball goalward wasn't cleared by the home defence.The respective number 14s, Des Dolan (from a free) and James Ryan (a great score from play) then traded points, as did Conor Lynam (with a typically-neat finish from the St. Loman's, Mullingar man) and Ger Collins (from a tricky free). Both sides proceeded to spurn chances, before three unanswered points from Mickey Ned O'Sullivan's men had Limerick two points to the good by the 23rd minute, the scores coming from Seanie Buckley (a great finish from open play) and a brace from Ger Collins (the second from a free).Gary Connaughton produced a wonderful catch to keep out another Limerick attack while, at the other end, Tommy McDaniel and Conor Lynam combined for Derek Heavin to point in style. A marvellous surge forward from Michael Ennis resulted in a free which Des Dolan superbly curled over the bar from 35 metres to tie up the scoring. However, the Munster finalists finished the half the stronger with points from midfielder Jim O'Donovan (availing of careless defending by the visitors) and James Ryan (from a tight angle), leaving the score at half-time reading: Limerick 1-7 Westmeath 1-5.Limerick were straight out of the traps on the change of ends with a point after only 40 seconds from Jim O'Donovan, followed soon afterwards by a goal from James Ryan, which Gary Connaughton almost managed to keep out. However, Westmeath were stung into action and they played their best football of the afternoon when rifling over five points without reply between the fifth and tenth minutes of the second half. Two successful frees from Des Dolan (the second an excellent score) were followed by great points from Derek Heavin and Conor Lynam and another Dolan free.The two left full-forwards (Ian Ryan, from what seemed a harshly-awarded free, and Tommy McDaniel, following great work by Damien Healy) then exchanged points, but outstanding Limerick wing-back Stephen Lavin restored the home team's two-point lead with a quality point. Doran Harte was unlucky to see his shot come back off the upright, but Derek Heavin had better luck when he completed his unlikely hat-trick of points at exactly the midpoint of the half.A trademark Gary Connaughton catch from over his own crossbar lifted his colleagues, but Westmeath were lucky that a loose free from substitute Ger Egan did not result in a Limerick score. With six minutes of normal time remaining, a classy point from Des Dolan levelled the contest. Limerick sub Seamus O'Carroll edged the Treaty men ahead with time running out but, as was the case in O'Connor Park, Denis Glennon was the last man to score, whipping over a difficult free from 40 metres, after Paul Sharry had been fouled. Michael Ennis had a late, late chance to win the game for the visitors but the skipper's shot was narrowly wide, meaning that a result satisfactory to both sides was the outcome. Final score: Westmeath 1-14, Limerick 2-11Westmeath team and scorers: Gary Connaughton; Francis Boyle, Donal O'Donoghue, Kevin Maguire; Michael Ennis (capt) (0-1), Kieran Martin, Doran Harte; David Duffy, Paul Bannon; Damien Healy, Conor Lynam (0-2), Derek Heavin (0-3); James Durkan (1-0), Des Dolan (0-7, 0-6 from frees), Tommy McDaniel (0-1). Subs used (all in the second half): Alan Gaughan, Ger Egan. James Dolan, Tommy Warburton, Paul Sharry, Denis Glennon (0-1, from a free), Philip Gilsenan, Ian Coffey, Lorcan Smyth.