WICKLOW 0-10 WESTMEATH 1-13
ronan fagan
A precursor to their Leinster senior football championship meeting on April 7, Westmeath claimed a brace of league points as they defeated Wicklow by a deserved six point scoreline in Echelon Park Aughrim on Sunday afternoon.
The victory cements Westmeath’s promotion position on the league table, a third consecutive success certain to enhance confidence and maintain momentum prior to the visit of bottom county Limerick to TEG Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon (throw-in, 2pm ).
The crucial score of this contest arrived as early as the 14th minute when playing stalwart Kieran Martin fired past the despairing dive of Wicklow custodian Shane Doyle, the three pointer allowing Westmeath to open a scoring gap which was never to be closed as the contest progressed.
With Caulry club player, Senan Baker, to the scoring fore for the Lake County, the visitors enjoyed a four point interval lead, one which may have been reduced upon the start of second half play, but Wicklow substitute Jack Kirwan, saw his shot hit a post when a goal seemed certain.
The visitors continued to press and Westmeath goalkeeper Jason Daly ensured the home team would not raise a green flag over the duration when he saved from Malachy Stone.
The missed goal chances appeared to deflate the Garden County, Westmeath effecting the scoreboard on four consecutive occasions with points from the irrepressible Baker (two ) Kieran Martin and Ronan O’Toole.
The elements in their favour, Westmeath continued to dominate second half proceedings and with Sam McCartan integral to most of the Lake County’s positive play, Moate All Whites club player Robbie Forde, introduced as a substitute for Martin, ensured a merited six point success with a fine score.
The game was notable for the second half return of influential full back Kevin Maguire to the playing fray following his start of the competitive season absence due to injury. Manager, Dessie Dolan, will no doubt be buoyed by the Caulry club player’s appearance and also by the scoring prowess being currently displayed by Baker, who, in the absence, of talisman, John Heslin, has taken command of placed ball duties to much reward.
Making his first league start, corner forward Danny McCartan, scored three points from play, such a scoring return, also boosting the offensive options now available to Dolan and his backroom management team as the competitive campaign continues.
