Ennis on target as Westmeath overpower London

Allianz NHL Div 2: Westmeath 3-22, London 0-20

Any Westmeath hurling supporters who travelled over to Ruislip for Sunday's league game were spared any serious anxiety as their side wasted no time in asserting themselves against London.

Eamonn Cunneen goaled inside the first minute, Shane Williams had three points from play inside the first 10, and by the midway point of the first half Westmeath were ten points to the good.

By half-time Dean Ennis added another green flag and Westmeath led by 2-14 to 0-7. Four of London’s points had come from frees converted by Fionn Ó Riain Broin, yet each of Westmeath’s 16 flags were struck from open play.

Ennis struck his second goal at the start of the second half and from there the intensity of the contest dipped, with Westmeath content to operate in third gear and still pick up their second win of the campaign.

Despite the absence of marquee forward Killian Doyle, it was an impressive scoring return by Westmeath, more impressive than their visit to Ruislip since their last visit to Ruislip in 2018 when they had just five points to spare. Manager Kevin O'Brien will be pleased with the emphatic victory ahead of his side's big game against Laois next Sunday.

Westmeath: Sean Jackson; Shane Williams, Conor Shaw, Naoise McKenna; Jack Gillen, Johnny Bermingham, Rory Keyes; David Williams, Jack Kearney; Marc Cunningham, Darragh McCormack, Kevin Regan; Dean Ennis, Andrew Shaw, Eamonn Cunneen. Subs: Sean Dowd for McCormack (49 min), Matthew Cunningham for Andrew Shaw (51), Conor McKeogh for Gillen (55), Cian McCarthy for Bermingham (63), Adam Bate for McKenna (67).

*See printed edition for report and photos.