Fine home victory for Westmeath Minotaurs

Westmeath Minotaurs 35, Antrim Stags 0

Westmeath Minotaurs notes

The Westmeath Minotaurs started this contest with the wind at their backs and clear skies in game where they badly needed to get back on track after a heavy defeat in the previous game to table toppers Louth.

The defence set the tone early with some big tackles from the likes of Niall Corcoran, Jay Bruton and Paul Donohoe. A quick three and out had the Minotaurs offence with Conor Brennan stepping back in at QB (quarter back) set up at the halfway line. His first play would be a deep pass connection to rookie wide receiver Domas Vilys for the first score.

While the weather was ever changing today the one constant was relentless pressure from the Minotaurs on both sides of the ball. Another defensive stop had Brennan and the offence at nearly an identical starting point to the first drive. Another deep pass on the first play of the drive, this time to Jack Walsh, would see the Westmeath side go two scores ahead. This would be much of the same for the Minotaurs as they ended up 27-0 ahead at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a Rafael Monterio rush and a Vilys fumble recovery in the end zone.

Then the rain and wind would stall the Minotaurs passing game, but it didn’t phase the running back tandem of Niall Corcoran and Rafa Monterio as they overpowered the Stags defence on the ground. A Niall Corcoran rushing score and two pointer would make the score 35-0.

The second half seen the away side struggling for numbers as the clock was ran down and both sides seen out the game. All units played well today but the defence in particular stood out as they completely smothered the Antrim offence from the opening play till the last. An excellent performance at home leaves the Westmeath team at second in the table and poised to host a home play-off game.