Heroic hurlers just fall short against mighty Limerick

An impressive display by the Westmeath senior hurlers saw them provide a solid test for reigning All-Ireland champions Limerick on Sunday at TEG Cusack Park, in Division 1B of the National Hurling League.

Westmeath will now travel to take on Tipperary in round three, buoyed up by this fine effort and manager Joe Fortune was proud of what was produced against the four-in-a-row All-Ireland winners.

It’s a measure of the progress his side have made in recent years.

“We will go down to Semple Stadium in two weeks and then we welcome Antrim back here in four, so it’s all about building on today.

“That was my big message in the dressing room: take the taps on the back. We were disappointed as a group to lose because we thought it was there for us,” he said.

A sensational result seemed on the cards and Niall Mitchell had a decent goal chance at a crucial stage, but Limerick survived and Donnacha Ó Dálaigh’s 63rd minute major was a key moment.

“I’m really happy with the players that are committing to Westmeath. There’s a sense of satisfaction sometimes when you stand out there and you look at the younger players and the players that are really working hard to become the next Jogger, the next Killian Doyle, really just lapping this up and loving it.

“I spoke to them before they went out and said, ‘lads, if we don’t enjoy days like today why are we doing this?’. I can’t guarantee you the next time you will be playing Limerick in Cusack Park,” said Fortune.

“I’m happy with the performance; delighted for Westmeath people that they get to see the All-Ireland champions in Cusack Park; delighted that we didn’t lie down and over-welcome them.

“We have massive respect for what John Kiely does and for what the local media do; if you don’t back me on the bad days, I can’t give the message out. But I suppose the overriding thing for me is, I’m trying to develop these young lads at the right level, at the right stage, and I can reminisce about who I’d love to have.”