St Loman’s of Mullingar emerged 2-14 to 0-12 winners against Killucan at Cusack Park in Sunday’s Westmeath SFC semi-final.
A solid defensive performance from Loman’s ensured Killucan were restricted throughout the match. Paul Sharry and John Heslin were instrumental for Loman’s, who also featured excellent attacking displays from Shane Dempsey and Ken Casey.
While Killucan landed the first score of the match, Loman’s responded impressively reeling off five points without reply. Sharry, Heslin (3 ), and Casey all found the range for Loman’s, who established control.
Killucan’s Cillian Doyle drilled over a point, but Dempsey also split the uprights for Loman’s. As half time approached, Paul Greville was sharp from frees for Killucan, but Loman’s regained the initiative after the restart. A Heslin delivery located Dempsey, who produced a brilliant finish to rattle the Killucan net.
Inevitably, Heslin was involved in the closing stages, adding the insurance goal for Loman’s, who dominated the majority of the second half.
Loman’s now face Tyrrellspass, who overcame Athlone by 1-8 to 1-6, in a repeat of the 2013 decider.
Athlone led at the interval by 1-2 to 0-3, with Daniel Reid netting a goal for the 2015 Intermediate Champions.
When the action recommenced Tyrrellspass were much improved, with Val Sizychas supplying the vital late goal.
David Glennon stretched Tyrrellspass’s advantage, but they then survived a real scare. Tyrrellspass goalkeeper Darren Quinn made an excellent save to thwart Mickey Greene.
Meanwhile, this Sunday Clonkill face Raharney in what promises to be an interesting Westmeath SHC final at Cusack Park.
In the last 10 years, Clonkill have won five county titles, Raharney four, while Castletowngeoghegan prevailed in 2013. The two most consistent teams, though, will collide at the weekend, with Clonkill hoping to retain the crown.
In the 2015 showpiece Clonkill emerged 1-14 to 1-10 winners, but Raharney are a good outfit when in the mood.
