Westmeath hold off Clare to boost promotion hopes
Westmeath strengthened their Division 3 promotion credentials when fending off hosts Clare to secure a second consecutive league victory in front of 1,389 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis.
Relieved to have emerged from their own Cusack Park with all the opening points against Sligo last weekend, Mark McHugh's side were far more consistent and assured against a surprisingly lacklustre Banner.
0-04 to 0-04 by the 26th minute, a low-key affair finally sprung to life for the remainder of the half as a wind-assisted Westmeath kicked on with a five-point burst including a second two-pointer for chief threat Sam McCartan.
However, it was their goal at the death that really lifted the visitors to new heights as they turned over a kick-out and after Luke Loughlin’s powerful shot came back off the crossbar, Matthew Whittaker played in Ronan Wallace to finish from close range and ensure a 1-10 to 0-05 interval cushion.
Westmeath would actually go nine clear on the resumption before the Banner backlash began in earnest as now with their wind at their backs, Aaron Griffin and Mark McInerney would arrow over two-pointers before corner-back Alan Sweeney found the next to lower the arrears to just four by the 42nd minute at 1-13 to 1-09.
Westmeath always seemed to be able to answer big Clare scores, with their most effective riposte being saved for the turn of the final quarter just when Eoin Cleary’s inspirational two-pointer had lessened the damage to just two.
The Leinster side would kick the next 1-03 as points for TJ Cox, Loughlin and Wallace sandwiched a real sucker-punch goal entering the final ten minutes.
McCartan’s point attempt would come back off the upright into the welcome arms of substitute Brian Cooney who finished past goalkeeper Stephen Ryan at his near point to put the result beyond any shred of doubt at 2-18 to 1-13.
Clare did attempt another recovery with a second Aaron Griffin two-pointer aided by points for Jamie Stack and McInerney to halve the arrears to just four by the 69th minute.
Despite five minutes of additional time to come, it was Westmeath that predominantly controlled matters for the remainder to cement their second successive triumph and subject a winless Clare to further introspection over the next fortnight.
Westmeath: Jack Connaughton; Danny Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Boidu Sayeh; Brian Guerin, Tadhg Baker, Ronan Wallace (1-02); Jonathan Lynam, Ray Connellan (0-02); Matthew Whittaker (0-02), Sam McCartan (0-05, 2tp), Kevin O’Sullivan (0-02); Senan Baker, Luke Loughlin (0-03, 1f), Danny McCartan
Subs: TJ Cox (0-02) for Guerin (29), Brian Cooney (1-00) for S. Baker (HT), Tom Molloy for D. McCartan (56), Robbie Forde (0-01) for O’Sullivan (70), Shane Allen for Connellan (73).
Clare: Stephen Ryan; Alan Sweeney (1-00), Ronan Lanigan, Manus Doherty; Dermot Coughlan, Ikem Ugwueru, Cillian Brennan; Brian McNamara (0-02), Darragh Bohannon; Brendy Rouine, Eoin Cleary (0-03, 1tp), Aaron Griffin (0-07, 2tp, 1f); Joe Rafferty, Mark McInerney (0-03, 1tp, 1f), Cormac Murray (0-01)
Subs: Connor Meaney for Rafferty (47), Caoilfhionn O’Dea for Rouine (56), Gavin Murray for C. Murray (61), Morgan Garry for Brennan (62), Jamie Stack (0-1) for Cleary (67).
Referee: David Murnane (Cork).
