Drama as under 20 hurlers reach Leinster quarter-final after penalty shoot out
On a night of high drama at Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise last Friday, Westmeath under 20 hurlers qualified for the Leinster Championship quarter-final following victory over Laois on penalty pucks.
Following a hugely entertaining contest, Westmeath prevailed by the slimmest of margins and this, their third victory of the campaign, has assured the Lake County of a place in the quarter-final. Westmeath will now face Wexford next weekend and Andrew Dermody's charges can look forward to a massive game against one of the top sides in the province at the this level.
Laois led by four points on two occasions in the first half, but showing great spirit and character, Westmeath hung to their coattails and were just a point adrift at the interval, 0-9 to 0-8.
Laois created the majority of scoring chances in the second half, but their profligacy in front of goal cost them dearly as they shot eight wides in that period and 18 in total over the course of the game. A more economical Westmeath side eventually wrestled control of the match from the home side when the outstanding David Williams converted a 65' in the 39th minute and a fascinating contest ebbed and flowed for a spell.
The Lake County seemed destined for victory in normal time when Williams put them four points clear by the 58th minute, but they were severely punished for failing to manage the game as Laois swooped for a superb equalising goal two minutes into added time. Full forward Jer Quinlan carried the ball the proverbial mile and his pass picked out Cillian Dunne, who belted it to the net with a clinical first-time strike. At the end of normal time it was Westmeath 0-17, Laois 1-14.
Into extra-time and Westmeath forged ahead again through the impressive David O'Reilly, but the sides were deadlocked at the end of the first period (0-20 to 1-17) and at that stage, penalties were looming large on the horizon. Both sides had slender leads in the second period and Westmeath came within a whisker of victory when Peter Clarke's superb strike was somehow prevented from going over the crossbar by the Laois 'keeper Brochan O'Reilly at the very end. One for Hawk Eye, perhaps, but at the end of a dramatic contest, it was all down to penalty pucks.
Laois missed three of their penalties, while Westmeath were more clinical, failing to convert just one and that after a fine save by O'Reilly to deny Eamonn Cunneen. Williams, Clarke and Mark Cunningham all converted their penalties and after Laois' Cody Comerford missed the target, the Lake County were through.
Both sides gave it everything and ultimately, it came down to very fine margins at the finish. A delighted Westmeath manager, Andrew Dermody praised his players' character and resolve, saying he is delighted with the progress they have made which will help in the county's efforts to develop and grow the game.
"This is a great boost for Westmeath hurling and I'm delighted for everyone, but especially all of the players involved as they have put a tremendous amount into this. It was brilliant and the penalty takers showed great composure. We will recover and get ready for Wexford which is a great game to be involved in," he said.
INSPIRATION
In fine, but breezy conditions, Westmeath fell behind in the opening quarter as the home side established a foothold with the opening three points. Cody Comerford got the first from 60 metres, while two converted frees from the impressive Cillian Dunne gave his side a useful lead. Westmeath eventually got off the mark when Williams converted a free after eight minutes and he repeated that from 65 metres; a point from midfield by Noah Quinlan had Laois two clear at the end of the first quarter.
Westmeath, struggling somewhat from play, added to their tally as Williams pointed a free, but Laois shot three in-a-row to lead by 0-7 to 0-3 - Jer Quinlan and Brian Duggan both on target from play, before Dunne converted a free. Westmeath desperately needed a moment of inspiration and it came from midfielder Eamonnn Cunneen, who scored a marvellous point from his own half back line, after Williams' work rate saw him dispossess opposing centre back Aaron Phelan.
Still, Laois held control as Dunne pointed a free, before Williams responded for the visitors, after David O'Reilly was fouled. Following a Dunne '65', Westmeath produced their best spell of the half to score three unanswered points per O'Reilly, Peter Clarke (O'Reilly's pass) and Peter Murphy (following Cunneen's delivery from a sideline ball), leaving them just a solitary point adrift at the interval.
SAVE
Clarke equalised three minutes into the second half with a fine long-range strike that initially appeared to be signalled wide before the white flag went up. Dunne converted a Laois free and Brian Duggan set up Comerford for a point as the O'Moore men went 0-11 to 0-9 clear. Westmeath then shot three unanswered scores to take the lead for the first time in the 39th minute. Williams shot over a free before striking a lovely point from play; having missed a shot at goal from a 20-metre free, Williams held his composure to slot over the resulting '65' and Westmeath were 0-12 to 0-11 clear.
Laois got on level terms when Dunne pointed a free, but Westmeath were growing in confidence and Williams scored a quality point from play on 47 minutes before his converted free put the visitors two points ahead. Then a key moment: Laois substitute James Cuddy cut in and shot for goal, but his effort was saved by Sean Jackson before the follow-up effort by Dunne was deflected out for an unconverted 65'. Laois came away with nothing from a golden opportunity.
Jackson was called into action again on 51 minutes - his save denying Cuddy again from a low strike, after a long ball in broke kindly for the Laois man. A Dunne free narrowed the gap, but Westmeath held firm and when O'Reilly won a free, Williams duly converted. The full forward added another from a placed ball as Westmeath established a three-point lead.
It got even better as the Lake County went 0-17 to 0-13 clear with three minutes remaining, following another Williams free (O'Reilly again earning the chance). Laois reduced the leeway when Dunne slotted over a free, but it looked like their chance had gone. Westmeath had possession in a prominent position, but O'Reilly's cross-field ball was wayward, allowing the home side launch one fine attack in added time. A long ball forward found Quinlan, who created the chance for Dunne on the edge of the square and, without hesitation, he belted the ball past Jackson for the goal that sent this match to extra-time.
CLARKE EFFORT
The sides shared six points in the opening 10-minute period: Laois went ahead when Comerford shot over, but O'Reilly replied and then fired over another minor to give Westmeath the lead. A fine strike from Clarke had the Lake County leading by two, 0-20 to 1-15, but Laois substitute Padraig Brennan pointed a free before Dunne followed up from play to leave it all square at the break.
The second period produced four scores: Laois went ahead through a Brennan free, but Williams responded by converting a placed ball for the visiting side. Westmeath had the lead when Williams scored a wonderful point from a long-range free beyond midfield, but Laois fought back and after a vital interception by Conor Gaffney, the home side won a free that was converted by Dunne. There was tension and drama as Cunneen had a chance from a sideline cut (after the initial one was thrown in by the referee), while Clarke went agonisingly close from distance, only for the opposing 'keeper to stretch and knock the ball back into play.
That meant it was on to penalty pucks to decide the quarter-final spot and Laois went first, only for Quinlan to miss. Williams then found the net to give Westmeath control. Dunne's finish gave Laois hope and when Cunneen's shot was saved, the home side had a chance, but Cuddy was denied. Amid dramatic scenes, Clarke converted to the net and while Brennan followed that with a goal, Cunningham also found the net for Westmeath.
Laois could not afford to miss at this juncture and Comerford stepped forward, but his shot was low and wide, meaning it was Westmeath who progressed.
There were great celebrations among the Westmeath players, backroom team and supporters, while Laois were left to rue their many missed chances as they lost in circumstances that traditionally would never be heard of in the GAA. Yes, both sides were well aware of the circumstances beforehand and it was terrific for Westmeath, but sport can be a cruel place, too.
SCORERS - Westmeath: D Williams 0-14 (11f; 1 '65'), P Clarke 0-3, D O'Reilly 0-3, E Cunneen and P Murphy 0-1 each. Laois: C Dunne 1-10 (0-9f; 0-1 '65'), C Comerford 0-4, P Brennan 0-2 (2f), N Quinlan, J Quinlan and B Duggan 0-1 each.
WESTMEATH - Sean Jackson; David Weir, Jamie Mulkearns, Conor Gaffney; Rian Holding, Mikey Lynam, David Maloney; Mark Cunningham, Eamonn Cunneen; Brian McGrath, Michael Doherty, Peter Clarke; David O'Reilly, David Williams, Peter Murphy. Subs: Josh Murtagh for Lynam (inj., 22), Oisín Loughlin for Weir (inj., 51), Calum McKeogh for Doherty (56), Cian McCarthy for Holding (inj., 4 ET), Lynam for Mulkearns (inj., 25 ET), Doherty for Murphy (25 ET).
LAOIS - Brochan O'Reilly; Lawson Obulor, Cathal Cuddy, Joe Pearson; Ciaran Flynn, Aaron Phelan, Philip Tynan; Cody Comerford, Tom Cuddy; Cathal Murphy, Cillian Dunne, Brian Duggan; Noah Quinlan, Jer Quinlan, Colin Byrne. Subs: Bobby Murphy for Tynan (41), James Cuddy for Duggan (45), Padraig Brennan for Murphy (54), Murphy for Dunne (7 ET), Finn Culleton for Phelan (inj., 17 ET), Dunne for Byrne (17 ET).
REF - Adam Kinahan (Offaly).