Three goals crucial as Westmeath U20s defeat Carlow

Andrew Corden Cup (Leinster U20 ‘B’ FC) semi-final

Westmeath 3-9 Carlow 1-10

By Gerry Buckley

Westmeath football got a small, but much-needed, shot in the arm in pleasant conditions at a sparsely-attended Kinnegad last Tuesday night when the U20s deservedly eliminated Carlow from the Andrew Corden Cup.

With the new competition being named after an outstanding Carlow player who died tragically in 2002 – ironically, a week after captaining the Barrowsiders against Westmeath in the Leinster SFC – it was obvious that the visitors were fired up for this game.

However, a blistering start to the second half was key as Damien Gavin’s troops went on to win by an unflattering five-point margin, and they will now face Longford in the provincial decider in TEG Cusack Park next Tuesday night, April 30 (throw-in 7pm).

Westmeath had the aid of a slight wind in the first half, but there was never much between the teams in the early stages. They were tied at 0-2 each (Ronan Murray and Shane Hanley scoring for the winners, and Cialan Brady and a Liam Gavin free for their opponents) with 13 minutes elapsed, when Murray cleverly found the net after being astutely picked out by Jack Duncan.

A Brían Cooney free and a great score from Hanley ensued to put the home team ahead by five points (1-4 to 0-2) after 16 minutes, but they failed to score again during the remainder of the half. For their part, the men in the multi-coloured strip rattled over four unanswered points courtesy of a brace of fine frees by Gavin, a great score from corner back Kieran Nolan, and a Brandon Kelly mark in the 28th minute. Westmeath led by 1-4 to 0-6 at the break.

Cooney had the ball in the Carlow net within 15 seconds of the resumption of play, and the same player scored two of their next three unanswered points – Duncan neatly popped over the other – to put Westmeath seven points clear (2-7 to 0-6) by the 36th minute. Prior to Duncan’s point, a speculative effort from Nolan almost crept into the Westmeath net.

A point apiece from Josh Brady and Kelly (whose rasping shot, following a quickly-taken free by Gavin, was tipped over his own crossbar by Stephen McNevin) kept Simon Rea’s men in touch. Fine play by the speedy Daragh Lowry and the ever-threatening Hanley teed up Cooney for another point, to leave the young men in maroon and white ahead by 2-8 to 0-8 at the end of the third quarter.

In the 46th minute, Aaron Power saved bravely from Hanley at the expense of a wasted ‘45’. Gavin, who was equally proficient from his hands and the ground, slotted over another free before a Westmeath counter attack in the 52nd minute ended with Hanley scoring their third goal with aplomb.

Gavin (a free) and Shane Ormsby (when a goal looked possible) then traded points.

On the hour mark, a great delivery by Gavin wasn’t cleared and the ball ricocheted to the net off the head of sub Aaron Kelly, but it merely amounted to a consolation goal for Carlow. There was just about enough brightness remaining to finish the game without the need for the floodlights.

Man of the match: Brían Cooney (Westmeath). If a little inconsistent with his frees, the captain still led very much by example, scoring 1-4 (including 1-3 from play). In particular, his contribution in the third quarter was excellent.

Key moment: Cialan Brady almost scored a Carlow goal in the 52nd minute and an immediate Westmeath counter attack ended with Shane Hanley finding the net.

Scorers - Westmeath: B Cooney 1-4 (0-1f), S Hanley 1-2, R Murray 1-1, J Duncan, S Ormsby 0-1 each. Carlow: L Gavin 0-5 (5f), A Kelly 1-0, B Kelly 0-2 (1m), Kieran Nolan, C Brady, J Brady 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Stephen McNevin; Adam Keane, Cormac Monaghan, Seánaí Bracken; Daragh Lowry, Jason Macken, Liam Daly; Tadhg Baker, Shane Ormsby; Jack Duncan, Brían Cooney, Eoin Bracken; Rory Cole, Shane Hanley, Ronan Murray. Subs used: Shane Corcoran for Cole (37), Tiarnán O’Donovan for E Bracken (41), Dylan Franconi for Lowry (57), Darragh Hall for Duncan (57), Matthew Thornton for Murray (57).

Carlow: Aaron Power; Kieran Nolan, James Whelan, Shane Cormican; Mark Mullen, Alex Delaney, Tom Dillon; Kyle Nolan, Adam Burgess; Brandon Kelly, Cialan Brady, Josh Egan; Josh Brady, John Phiri, Liam Gavin. Subs used: Evan Corr for Dillon (50), Cillian McGrath for Kieran Nolan (59), Aaron Kelly for J Brady (59).

Referee: Eamon O'Connor (Offaly).