Fine first half display sees Westmeath to victory

A last-gasp goal from Theo Watts (his second of the contest) secured a hard-earned win for the Westmeath Under 16 footballers in their first game of the Gerry Reilly Memorial Tournament against the host county Meath, in Oldcastle on Saturday night last.In truth, the winners should not have needed this score to edge out their age-old rivals, as a power-packed display in the first half had the maroon and whites eight points to the good at the break. However, in time-honoured tradition, the Royals staged a gutsy comeback and looked likely to garner at least a draw when the sides were level in the dying moments of normal time. It then took a point from Luke Loughlin and Watts' aforementioned goal to put Thomas McDonnell's side on top of the table in this prestigious annual tournament, now held at the Millbrook ground on the outskirts of the town.Last Saturday's contestants, who top the roll of honour with seven wins apiece, had a number of switches (both positional and in personnel) from the match programme, with Westmeath particularly guilty in this regard. A good-sized crowd was present on an ideal evening for football for the first match of the 2011 tournament, which also features long-time participants Dublin and relative newcomers Louth (who replaced Cavan). Reigning champions, Westmeath lined out in their usual maroon and white strip, while Meath togged out in their changed gear of gold with a green trim.To read more see this week's edition of the Westmeath Examiner.