Footballers' tame exit in Casement Park

With this hugely disappointing defeat to Antrim at Casement Park last Saturday, Westmeath senior footballers exited the All-Ireland championship without winning a game for the first time since 1996.Back in 1996, a Leinster championship defeat to then All-Ireland champions Dublin ended the Lake County's campaign. From then up until this year, Westmeath have managed to win at least one championship match, with the advent of the All-Ireland qualifiers enabling the county to enjoy some memorable victories. This year, however, Westmeath bowed out with a whimper.In contrast to the Leinster quarter-final to Wexford, this time it was Westmeath who got the boost of an early goal, but they totally failed to build on it.A point by John Heslin inside the opening 30 seconds and a goal by wing-back James Dolan gave Westmeath a 1-1 to 0-0 lead within three minutes of the throw-in. Yet, from then to the end, Westmeath only managed to score a meagre six points as Antrim took control of the game and ran out deserving winners.Even though Westmeath have only had two outings in this year's championship, the diehard Lake County supporters who attended both games could scarcely have had two longer trips, with a trip to Wexford followed by the long trek north to Belfast. There seemed to be a larger contingent of Westmeath supporters in Casement Park than in Wexford Park, but the result and display last Saturday did nothing to shorten the journey home.Rumours of Antrim missing players through emigration proved wholly unfounded, with Liam Bradley naming an unchanged team from that which lost to Donegal in the Ulster championship. Although two changes were made before the throw-in, with James Loughrey and Gerard O'Boyle handed starting berths, the two players originally selected - Paddy Cunningham and Mark Sweeney - both saw action from the bench (the latter as a temporary substitute).Westmeath had made four changes in personnel from the 12-point defeat to Wexford but Dessie Dolan's troublesome hamstring injury meant the Garrycastle ace was unable to start, with Paul Greville drafted in as a replacement. The confirmation that Dolan was unable to start which was a huge blow for Westmeath and although he was sprung from the bench (scoring a splendid point), he was clearly not at full fitness.Having conceded 1-24 in that defeat to Wexford, Westmeath adopted a more defensive approach on this occasion. Westmeath were guilty of defensive naivete against Wexford but they went to the other extreme here, with both wing-forwards Ger Egan and Doran Harte operating in deep positions for most of the game. While this helped to reduce the concession rate, there was a lack of balance between the defensive and attacking facets of the game.With Paul Greville often a good distance from the opposition goal, Denis Glennon was frequently totally isolated inside. The following statistic reflects the paucity of Westmeath's attacking display - the starting forwards only contributed one point from play (and that came in the opening minute).Trying to find some positives from the wreckage of Westmeath's championship campaign is no easy task. Westmeath supporters will be hoping the chastening defeat in Wexford and this deflating defeat will prove a valuable learning experience for the young players in the squad. The Westmeath team which started last Saturday contained six of this year under-21s, in addition to one player from last year's Under 21 team (Denis Corroon).Championship debutant Micheál Curley was arguably Westmeath's most impressive player, the corner-back attacking the ball tigerishly throughout, while James Dolan again demonstrated an impressive ability to attack from wing-back. Not too many other players enhanced their reputations on the day.There was again a worrying lack of bite and drive in the team when the game was moving away from them. And with Dessie Dolan only able to play a peripheral role, there was a lack of leadership and craft in attack.With Louth and Meath having a 'rematch' last Saturday, it was ironic that the referee for last year's hugely controversial Leinster final, Martin Sludden, returned to championship duty on the same day. On this occasion, however, Sludden had a decent game and certainly there could be no blaming Westmeath's defeat on any of his decisions.After all the rain in the midlands and other parts of the country last Friday, it was a pleasant afternoon in Belfast as the game got underway, with a slight breeze not having much of an impact.Two of the players who didn't start against Wexford contributed the opening two scores as Westmeath got off to a highly encouraging start. John Heslin hit a fine point off his left foot inside the opening half minute, after good work by Darragh Daly and James Dolan. In the third minute, a clever handpass inside by Conor Lynam created an inviting opening, with the Antrim defence guilty of some sloppiness. James Dolan got to the ball ahead of Antrim 'keeper Seán O'Neill and then coolly finished into the unguarded net.A superb long-range point by Gerard O'Boyle gave Antrim a lift in the fifth minute and this proved the first of eight points on the trot for the Saffrons. Tomás McCann edged the home side closer with a pointed free a couple of minutes later. Conor Lynam then missed a free which was well within his range, after he had been fouled himself. Shortly afterwards, Tomás McCann instigated a move which ended with Conor Murray blasting over with a possible goal on.With both teams having an extra man in their full-back line, both goalkeepers were using short kick-outs and, after a scrappy period of play, Antrim full-forward Brendan Herron landed a great point from the right to level the scores (17th minute). The Glensmen went in front for the first time with a pointed free by Gerard O'Boyle, after a foul on the influential Kevin Niblock.The visitors' encouraging start proved a false dawn as Westmeath's build-up play becoming quite laboured with lateral passes failing to penetrate the Antrim defence. After Antrim midfielder Michael McCann pulled up injured as he bore down on the Westmeath goals, with at least a white flag looking on, James Loughrey sent over a superb point. Niblock was causing plenty of problems for Aidan Finnan, and he increased Antrim's lead in the 25th minute. With the Ulster side now dominating the middle third of the field, they went 0-8 to 1-1 ahead with a 29th-minute point from a free by O'Boyle.After a scoring hiatus lasting almost half an hour, Westmeath finally added to their tally in the 32nd minute with a pointed free by John Heslin after a foul on Doran Harte.Brendan Murtagh, who had been introduced at midfield for the injured David Duffy, grafted hard and helped to win more possession around midfield. And Murtagh sent over a fine point towards the end of the half after Heslin, now operating in the full-forward, did well to win the ball under pressure. That left Antrim leading 0-8 to 1-3 at half-time.Within six minutes of the resumption, Heslin converted a free as Westmeath reduced the deficit to the minimum for the first of three occasions in the second half. However, they could never draw level. James Loughrey scored his second point to restore Antrim's two-point cushion. Heslin snatched at a scoring chance and hit it wide, but he then made amends with a point from a free, after James Dolan had again came forward to good effect. Crucially, Westmeath couldn't put two points back-to-back and after a good block by the hard-working Doran Harte led to a '45', McCann did the needful from the dead ball.A forceful run by Ger Egan (whose use of the ball was often wayward, a malaise that affected Westmeath throughout) drew a foul and Paul Greville pointed the free, but McCann again replied a the other end (free). Heslin tried to flick a high ball in by Denis Glennon goalwards but Antrim escaped and, moments later, impressive wing-back Tony Scullion blasted over after a well-worked move (57th minute).Aodhán Gallagher played a one-two with Tomás McCann and powered through the heart of the Westmeath defence. A fine save by Gary Connaughton prevented a goal at the expense of a '45', which was again converted by McCann.Now four points down, Westmeath looked a beaten docket at this stage. They were in dire need of scores but Denis Glennon shot into the arms of Seán O'Neill after an incisive run. Dessie Dolan lifted Westmeath with a peach of a point from an acute angle in the 62nd minute, after fellow substitute Paul Sharry had won the ball back.Francis Boyle had been brought on at centre-back and he tried to launch some attacks as Westmeath made some despairing efforts to salvage something. Yet these efforts were in vain with a missed chance by Heslin proving crucial.With Westmeath's place in the championship hanging by a thread, Pat Flanagan was sent from the touchline by the referee, after he protested over the decision to award a free against Doran Harte. With a minute of normal time remaining, Niblock found Scullion in space and he put Antrim four points in front once more. Substitute Paddy Cunningham added further insurance by clipping over a point and only an improbable goal could save Westmeath now. The final action of note saw Brendan Herron fist substitute Kevin Brady's delivery over the bar in spectacular fashion, as the curtain came down an eminently forgettable championship campaign for Westmeath.SCORERS - Antrim: T. McCann 0-4 (2f, 0-2 '45's); G. O'Boyle 0-3 (2f); J. Loughrey, B. Herron, T. Scullion 0-2 each; K. Niblock, C. Murray, P. Cunningham 0-1 each. Westmeath: J. Heslin 0-4 (3f); J. Dolan 1-0; B. Murtagh, D. Dolan, P. Greville (f) 0-1 each.ANTRIM: Seán O'Neill; Colin Brady, Richard Johnson, Kevin O'Boyle; Tony Scullion, Justin Crozier, Anto Healy; Michael McCann, Aodhán Gallagher; Conor Murray, Tomás McCann, James Loughrey; Gerard O'Boyle, Brendan Herron, Kevin Niblock. Subs: Seán Burke for M McCann (inj., 23 mins); Paddy Cunningham for Murray (51); Kevin Brady for G O'Boyle (57); Terry O'Neill for T McCann (68?)WESTMEATH: Gary Connaughton; Micheál Curley, Aidan Finnan, Kieran Gavin; Denis Corroon, Kieran Martin, James Dolan; Darragh Daly, David Duffy; Ger Egan, John Heslin, Doran Harte; Conor Lynam, Denis Glennon, Paul Greville. Subs: Brendan Murtagh for Duffy (inj., 22 mins); Dessie Dolan for Greville (51); Francis Boyle for Martin (60); Paul Sharry for Corroon (60); David Glennon for Harte (68).YELLOW CARDS: Westmeath 6 (M Curley, A Finnan, D Daly, C Lynam, B Murtagh, F Boyle). Antrim 2 (T Scullion, A Gallagher).WIDES: Westmeath 9 (1st half: 7). Antrim 7 (1st half: 4).REFEREE: Martin Sludden (Tyrone).