Westmeath ace named McDonagh Cup hurler of the year

Westmeath hurling star Tommy Doyle was named as the GAA/GPA Joe McDonagh Cup 2021 Hurler of the Year yesterday (Monday).

The Lough Lene Gaels player has been a key figure in the Westmeath defence for a number of years.

The tenacious defender was a real leader for the Lake County, as they finally clinched the Joe McDonagh Cup during the summer to return to the top flight of hurling competition.

GAA President Larry McCarthy congratulated Doyle on his award, saying he had given “sterling service” to Westmeath and his club Lough Lene Gaels for many years.

Westmeath also dominated the McDonagh Cup Team of the Year selection, with Doyle and six other Lake County players chosen for the XV – Darragh Egerton (Clonkill), Aonghus Clarke (Castletown Geoghegan), Robbie Greville (Raharney), Davy Glennon (Mullagh of Galway), Killian Doyle (Raharney) and Niall Mitchell (Clonkill).

Now under the management of Joe Fortune, Westmeath will compete in the Leinster SHC next year and, in their return to top flight action, they will face the formidable challenge of Kilkenny in their first game.

In advance of such daunting assignments, Westmeath will have to prepare as best they can when competing in the Kehoe Cup and in Division 2 of the Allianz Hurling League.

GAA/GPA Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year

1. Stephen Keith (Down)

2. Darragh Egerton (Westmeath)

3. Conor Woods (Down)

4. Eric Leen (Kerry)

5. Aonghus Clarke (Westmeath)

6. Tommy Doyle (Westmeath)

7. Fionan Mackessy (Kerry)

8. Robbie Greville (Westmeath)

9. Brian Byrne (Kildare)

10. Davy Glennon (Westmeath)

11. Killian Doyle (Westmeath)

12. Jack Regan (Meath)

13. Chris Nolan (Carlow)

14. Niall Mitchell (Westmeath)

15. Shane Conway (Kerry).