Sun sets on Westmeath odyssey in Clones cauldron

Monaghan 1-28, Westmeath 2-19

On the longest day of the year, Westmeath's remarkable championship campaign came to an end as Monaghan deservedly advanced to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals amid glorious weather in Clones.

The odyssey is over, but the wonderful memories will last for a lifetime. This was another hugely memorable occasion involving Westmeath this year with a raucous atmosphere in front of an official attendance of 21,673 at St Tiernach's Park last Sunday. It was a sight to behold beforehand to see throngs of supporters from both sides walking up Church Hill Road on the way to this storied venue.

The Westmeath fuel tank ran out of gas in the second half as injuries and fatigue after a gruelling campaign of seven games, three of which went to extra-time, took their toll. Westmeath again competed commendably just as they did against Galway the previous Sunday and the sides were level at half-time.

Goals from Matthew Whittaker and Brandon Kelly gave Westmeath fans hope in the opening half, but Monaghan took command in the midfield sector in the second period.

The Farney men had a couple of aces in their pack in the form of Jack McCarron, scorer of 1-5 from play, and Stephen O’Hanlon, whose pace caused Westmeath headaches all afternoon. It was O'Hanlon who created the chance for McCarron to fire home Monaghan's goal, a score which proved a dagger to Westmeath hearts.

There was another bold move made beforehand by Mark McHugh and his management team with James Mitchell selected in goals, replacing Jason Daly. And the Moate All Whites player justified the faith placed in him with a fine display, even catching an early Monaghan kickout, which bodes well for the future.

Monaghan also made one change with Aaron Carey replacing Oisín McGorman. On a warm day which tested the fitness of all involved, Monaghan appeared to have whatever wind advantage there was in the first half, but it wasn't a significant factor.

Shane Ormsby, starting in place of the sorely missed Ray Connellan (restricted to the bench due to injury), made a great catch from the throw-in and John Heslin opened the scoring inside the first minute. At the other end, play was soon brought back for a free, with many observers mystified as to what it was for, and Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan duly sent it between the posts.

The home side went 0-5 to 0-2 ahead by the seventh minute, thanks to scores from Stephen O'Hanlon and Mícheál McCarville (a huge two-pointer). Westmeath's only riposte in this phase was a point from Brandon Kelly, set up by Ronan Wallace's quick delivery inside.

As Westmeath looked to respond, Whittaker pointed off his left foot and the visitors then created a goal chance but Kelly took his point (11th minute).

Mícheál Bannigan pointed a 14th-minute free, after Aaron Carey was adjudged to have been fouled by Adam Treanor, with the latter soon making a timely interception. Kevin O'Sullivan's good pass set up Tadhg Baker for a point but Beggan again showed his dead ball skills when he lofted over a kick from almost 60 metres.

In the 19th minute, Whittaker, who was excellent in the first half, took on the Monaghan defence and scored a superb individual goal. The Tubberclair man's shot beat Beggan and went into the net off the legs of covering defender Conor McCarthy.

O'Hanlon showed his searing pace en route to a fisted point, before Whittaker replied at the end of a flowing move. Monaghan then moved four ahead with Andrew Woods raising an orange flag, followed by a brace of singles from McCarron.

The Leinster champions needed to respond and they duly did so. First, Sam McCartan pointed after his initial effort was blocked, and better was to come. Shane Allen, who battled for the ball with characteristic determination throughout, won possession from the Monaghan kickout. Sensing space inside, he delivered a long ball from the resulting free. Beggan could only knock the ball down and it broke invitingly for Brandon Kelly, who showed composure to finish it to the empty net. The sides were level again (2-7 to 0-13).

A contentious free awarded to Monaghan enabled Beggan to complete his treble of two-pointers, but white flags from O'Sullivan (set up by Wallace) and Kelly (after patient play) left the sides level at half-time (2-9 to 0-15).

Shortly after the restart, Westmeath got their noses in front for the first time since the opening minute with a booming point from substitute Robbie Forde. The lead was short-lived though as Monaghan hit back with two points from Dessie Ward (who became more influential in the second half), either side of one by McCarron.

Heslin edged Westmeath closer before Wallace's attempt for a two-pointer fell agonisingly short as Beggan plucked the ball from the air. Forde continued his impact off the bench with his second point.

Bannigan (a free) and Wallace (off his left point) exchanged points, leaving the sides level once again (2-13 to 0-19). Monaghan defender Killian Lavelle executed a splendid tackle to dispossess the threatening Whittaker and this proved a pivotal moment.

Gabriel Bannigan’s charges then produced a scoring burst which put them on the cusp of victory. Firstly, a trio of points came from McCarron, O’Hanlon and Stephen Mooney. And although the defiant Wallace kept Westmeath in touch by converting a ‘45’, the Ulster finalists then struck for their vital goal.

O’Hanlon cut through the Westmeath rearguard and McCarron finished in composed fashion (53rd minute). With their tails up and the vociferous home supporters in full voice, Monaghan added points from Mooney, sub David Garland and Conor McCarthy (a superb score). It was now 1-25 to 2-14 on a day when there were several glitches with the stadium scoreboard.

After O’Hanlon made another dangerous foray deep into Westmeath territory, Adam Treanor produced a block at the expense of a '45'. Wallace’s two-pointer from a free gave Westmeath a glimmer of hope, but a lot more was now needed.

Mooney scored his third point before the irrepressible McCarron brought his tally to 1-5. Westmeath now needed at least one goal but despite some half-chances, the visitors didn’t really look like getting one.

Ray Connellan boosted Westmeath at midfield when he entered the fray and the Athlone player sent over a two-pointer (though he may have been trying to lob the ball in to set up a possible goal chance.)

When Beggan was withdrawn near the end due to concern over an injury, he received a huge ovation from the Monaghan faithful. Westmeath sub Shane Corcoran stung the palms of Beggan’s replacement, Kian Mulligan, the ball going over for a point in what proved the game’s last score, as the curtain came down on Westmeath’s thrilling season.

Man of the match: Stephen O’Hanlon (Monaghan). The fleet-footed wing-forward just about edges out Jack McCarron, who again demonstrated his scoring prowess. Mark McHugh highlighted the influence of O’Hanlon afterwards, saying three different players were given the task of trying to curb him. Rory Beggan again showed when he is regarded as the finest goalkeeper in the country despite the manner of Westmeath’s second goal. For Westmeath, Matthew Whittaker and Brandon Kelly really troubled Monaghan in the first half and Ronan Wallace led by example once again.

What’s next: Having beaten the Connacht and Leinster champions (Roscommon and Westmeath) in quick succession, Monaghan will meet neighbours Louth in the All-Ireland quarter-finals this Sunday. As Westmeath’s wonderful season comes to an end, the obvious target next year is to secure promotion from Division 3 and build from there.

Scorers - Monaghan: J McCarron 1-5; R Beggan 0-6 (3tpf); S O’Hanlon, S Mooney and M Bannigan (3f) 0-3 each; M McCarville (tp), A Woods (tp) and D Ward 0-2 each; C McCarthy and D Garland 0-1 each. Westmeath: B Kelly 1-3; M Whittaker 1-2; R Wallace 0-4 (1tpf, 1 '45'); J Heslin, R Forde and R Connellan (tp) 0-2 each; T Baker, K O’Sullivan, S McCartan and S Corcoran 0-1 each.

Monaghan - Rory Beggan; Dylan Byrne, Ryan Wylie, Ryan O’Toole; Dessie Ward, Killian Lavelle, Conor McCarthy; Mícheál McCarville, Karl Gallagher; Stephen O’Hanlon, Mícheál Bannigan (captain), Aaron Carey; Andrew Woods, Jack McCarron, Stephen Mooney. Subs: Oisín McGorman for Gallagher (23 mins); David Garland for Woods (52); Ryan McAnespie for Carey, Kian Mulligan for Beggan (both 66); Robbie Hanratty for Lavelle (67).

Westmeath -James Mitchell; Adam Treanor, Charlie Drumm, Conor Dillon; Ronan Wallace (captain), Shane Allen, Sam McCartan; Brían Cooney, Shane Ormsby; Matthew Whittaker, Kevin O'Sullivan, Tadhg Baker; John Heslin, Senan Baker, Brandon Kelly. Subs: Robbie Forde for Cooney (25 mins); Shane Corcoran for S Baker (46); Ray Connellan for Heslin (54); Jack Duncan for O’Sullivan (55); Danny Scahill for Treanor (inj., 59).

Referee - Noel Mooney (Cavan).