Brave Westmeath fall just short against Tribesmen

by Gerry BuckleyA skilful and spirited Westmeath senior hurling side produced one of the county's best championship displays in many a long day last Saturday evening in Cusack Park, before eventually succumbing to raging hot favourites Galway, who qualified for a Leinster senior hurling championship semi-final clash with National League champions Dublin on Sunday week by a very flattering nine-point margin.The Tribesmen were on offer at prohibitive odds of 1/500 for this meeting with the Division Three-bound home side, but they only managed to pull away in the closing stages of a very entertaining game.Indeed, Galway manager John McIntyre was forced to spring a number of marquee performers (including the winners' best-known player, Joe Canning) from the bench in order to secure a victory over a side which had lost all seven matches in Division Two in the spring.Spurred on by a terrific goal from Paul Greville in the 47th minute, the losers battled manfully and when the referee eventually overruled his umpire to allow a John Shaw point some six minutes later, the sides were on level terms (3-9 to 2-12).However, the superior fitness and craft of the winners (for whom David Burke excelled throughout at midfield) began to tell and a number of fine points were followed by Cyril Donnellan's third goal, with two minutes of normal time remaining, to wrap up a far-from-convincing win for a side who are (as always) deemed to be in the top quartet in the race for the Liam McCarthy Cup this September.After a minute's silence was observed in memory of Laois man Jack Stapleton, the father of match referee, Anthony, some 2,000 spectators were treated to a fine rendition by Kathryn Nea of Amhrán na bhFiann, prior to the throw-in at 7 pm.Westmeath togged out in green jerseys with a navy trim, while Galway kept their traditional maroon and white. The game started as many punters expected with Galway racing into a three-point lead by the fourth minute, the scores coming from Cyril Donnellan (a great point from 40 metres near the terrace sideline), followed by neat efforts from Damien Hayes and Joe Gantley. Westmeath's only attack in the opening few minutes was halted when Brendan Murtagh was dispossessed after making a fine catch.However, the home team began to settle and were rewarded with a lovely point from Eoin Price, the first of many noteworthy contributions in a tremendous all-round display by the young Clonkill man.Lake County nerves were still evident and a John Shaw wide in the seventh minute was Westmeath's fifth, with Galway still blemish-free in this regard. Damien Hayes hit the upright for the visitors and David Burke was off target from a scoreable free before the losers found the range with three points in as many minutes from Dan Carty, Brendan Murtagh (a free) and Paul Greville (a fine score from 50 metres), with Murtagh the provider for both the scores from play.Galway (who were using quick puck-outs to great advantage) then spurned a terrific goal chance, with Joe Gantley and David Burke combining to tee up Damien Hayes who shot wide from close range.However, the winners' next attack resulted in their first goal of the contest, Joe Gantley availing of uncertain defending to pick out Cyril Donnellan whose 25-metre shot squirmed past Cathal Scally.For the second time, Damien Hayes hit the post before Andy Smith made the scoresheet for the Tribesmen.More fine play by Brendan Murtagh teed up team captain Brian Smyth for a well-taken point, but three unanswered points from David Burke (two - the first a free from the halfway line and the second from play, after Westmeath defensive hesitancy) and Joe Gantley (with Burke the provider) left the winners 1-7 to 0-5 ahead after 24 minutes.The hard-working Paul Greville had a disappointing first half in terms of shooting but, sandwiched between two poor wides from the Raharney man, Andrew Mitchell converted a '65', moments after Galway seemed unlucky not to have been awarded a free out.Galway tested the timber in the canal end goalposts for a third time, this time Kevin Hynes being the unlucky player, but Aongus Callanan was more clinical with a fine finish for a goal when Damien Hayes set him up in the 31st minute. A successful Brendan Murtagh free from 40 metres left two goals between the sides, but in added-time the home fans got a great pre-interval boost when a monster free from Andrew Mitchell seemed to be added to by Derek McNicholas from close range and the sliotar nestled in the Galway net.At the break, the scoreboard read: Galway 2-7 Westmeath 1-7, a situation most neutrals could not have envisaged and made all the more intriguing by an unlikely wide count (Westmeath ten, Galway four).Lead extendedWithin 20 seconds of the resumption of play, David Burke pointed neatly for the Tribesmen.The very influential Brendan Murtagh, who had a mixed day from placed balls, missed a scoreable free, but fine play by Paul Greville soon set up Ciaran Curley for a well-taken point from 45 metres.A great catch from Eoin Price typified Westmeath's resilience before tenacious defending saw his brother Adam make a vital goal-line clearance from Joe Gantley.In the 43rd minute, a quickly-taken Galway puck-out precipitated a move which ended with Cyril Donnellan rifling the ball to the net to put six points between the sides.Brendan Murtagh (a free) and Damien Hayes (open play) traded points prior to Westmeath hitting a purple patch which yielded an unanswered 1-3 between the 47th and 53rd minutes. Murtagh picked out his fellow dual star Paul Greville, who raced through on goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.Points followed from Dan Carty, Brendan Murtagh (a free) and John Shaw (the score eventually awarded after the referee consulted the stand-side linesman and his umpires).Incredibly, Westmeath were now on level terms (3-9 to 2-12) and a seismic shocked looked a real possibility.However, a clearly-rattled Galway side responded in style and they proceeded to fire over six unanswered points from Damien Hayes (two), Aongus Callanan (a free), Barry Daly, and substitutes Eanna Ryan and Joe Canning (a free), the brilliant Portumna forward's introduction in the 56th minute almost going unnoticed given the mounting tension.Westmeath sub Paddy Dowdall responded with a classy score, but the writing was already on the wall for a tiring home team by the time Cyril Donnellan pounced for his hat-trick, with two minutes of normal time remaining, the centre half forward finding the net with aplomb from 20 metres, after being picked out by Joe Gantley.The remaining three points barely raised a cheer - Joe Canning (two) and Brendan Murtagh converting routine placed balls.Galway will learn from this close shave and no doubt will challenge for provincial and national silverware. Unquestionably, Westmeath emerged from this enjoyable game with enormous credit.The trick now is to maintain the same levels of skill and commitment in the upcoming Qualifiers. Antrim will be on their guard on Saturday week for the visit of Brian Hanley's troops.Galway: James Skehill; Damien Joyce, David Collins, Fergal Moore; Johnny Coen, John Lee, Adrian Cullinane; David Burke (0-3, 0-1 from a free), Kevin Hynes; Barry Daly (0-1), Cyril Donnellan (3-1), Andy Smith (0-1); Damien Hayes (0-4), Joe Gantley (0-2), Aongus Callanan (1-1, 0-1 from a free). Subs: Eanna Ryan (0-1) (for Smith, 46 mins), Shane Kavanagh (for Cullinane, 51 mins), Tony Óg Regan (for Lee, 54 mins), Joe Canning (0-3, all from frees) (for Callanan, 56 mins).Westmeath: Cathal Scally; Christopher Flanagan, Darren McCormack, Alan McGrath; Eoin Price (0-1), Andrew Mitchell (0-1, from a '65'), Philip Gilsenan; Niall Flanagan, Brian Smyth (0-1); Ciaran Curley (0-1), Paul Greville (1-1), Brendan Murtagh (0-5, all from frees); John Shaw (0-1), Derek McNicholas (1-0), Dan Carty (0-2). Subs: Adam Price (for C. Flanagan, inj, 34 mins), Paddy Dowdall (0-1) (for N. Flanagan, 51 mins), John Gilligan (for McGrath, 60 mins), Andrew Dermody (for Carty, 64 mins), Aaron Craig (for McNicholas, 70 mins).Referee:Anthony Stapleton (Laois).