Keyes to the fore as Westmeath edge out Meath
Allianz Hurling League Division 2
Westmeath 0-25 Meath 1-19
Kevin O’Brien’s largely new-look Westmeath senior hurling side maintained their unbeaten record in Division 2 of the National League with a hard-earned win against neighbours Meath in pleasant conditions at TEG Cusack Park yesterday afternoon (Sunday).
A small but enthusiastic crowd turned up at Westmeath GAA headquarters, the pitch in remarkably good shape given the glut of rain during the previous week and the staging of the Bro Bosco Cup final between Coláiste Mhuire and Marist College the previous day.
The game was closely-fought from start to finish and this compensated for some patches of ordinary hurling.
Overall, however, the all-important bottom line from the home side's perspective is that the men in maroon and white added to their opening day point in Tralee with a precious brace to keep them well in contention for an immediate return to Division 1B.
Eoin Keyes stood out for Westmeath on the day and was a livewire presence in the full forward line. He contributed five points from play in addition to producing a vital catch for the decisive last-gasp free taken by Raharney club colleague Killian Doyle.
Scorers - Westmeath: K Doyle 0-11 (7f); E Keyes 0-5; J Gillen, D Williams, E Cunneen 0-2 each; P Clarke, J Coll, K Regan 0-1 each. Meath: M Leavy 0-9 (7f); G King 1-1 (1-0pen, 0-1f); N Conroy 0-3; M Cole 0-2; L Byrne, C Barron, S Doyle, D O’Higgins 0-1 each.
Westmeath - Sean Jackson; Shane Williams, Conor Shaw, Conor McKeogh; Jack Gillen, Johnny Bermingham, Rory Keyes; David Williams, Mark Cunningham; Eamonn Cunneen, Kevin Regan, Peter Clarke; Eoin Keyes, Killian Doyle, Josh Coll. Subs used: Andrew Shaw for Clarke (30), Naoise McKenna for R Keyes (52), Jack Kearney for Regan (55), John Fry for Gillen (58), Dean Ennis for Coll (62).
Meath - Gavin King; Conor Leavy, Daire Shine, Jarlath Ennis; Cathal Barron, Simon Ennis, Seán Geraghty; Eoin Donegan, Joey Cole; Noah Conroy, Lorcan Byrne, Mark Leavy; Mikey Cole, Damien Healy, Darren O’Higgins. Subs used: Seán Doyle for Barron (52), Anthony Healy for Donegan (60), Jack Walsh for D Healy (65), Fergal Flynn for J Cole (69).
Referee - Niall Malone (Clare).
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