Meath off the pace against Westmeath

Published: Sun 13 May 2018, 2:27 PM

Westmeath powered past Meath in the second round of the Joe McDonagh Cup today with a 4-24 to 2-17 win against Meath.

Aonghus Clarke had Westmeath in front after only six seconds with a massive point from inside his own half, but Meath found the perfect response from a Jack Regan goal after Colm O Mealoid and James Kelly combined to make the opening.

Meath remained in the ascendancy for most of the opening quarter as Regan (two frees), Kelly and Sean Quigley added points, but they were gradually hauled in by the hosts to parity at the end of the first-quarter at 1-5 to 0-8.

Points from Eoin Price and Clarke and Niall O'Brien (two each) and Robbie Greville got the Westmeath back into contention before they took complete control with Meath's Cathal McCabe adding a point in first-half injury-time.

By that stage Westmeath were ahead by 2-17 to 1-6 with goals from Robbie Greville and Allan Devine while the points flowed against an under-pressure Meath defence.

Ciaran Doyle, O'Brien, Clarke and Price (two each) and McNicholas sent over for Westmeath to give them that 14-point interval advantage.

Meath resumed positively after the break and reeled off points from Darragh Kelly (two), Conneely and substitute Mark O'Sullivan as Westmeath eased off the gas.

Niall Mitchell's goal revived Westmeath with Clarke and O'Brien adding points, but Meath kept battling and found enough for a second goal with Alan Douglas finding the net. Meath also had a penalty in the 55th minute, but Darragh Kelly's effort was well saved by Paddy Carroll.

Westmeath eased to a fourth goal with five minutes remaining when Allan Devine rifled to the net with Meath finishing with a high tally of wides - 17 in total.
RESULTS

First round - Antrim 5-25, Meath 2-18; Westmeath 2-21, Laois 1-21; Carlow 0-21, Kerry 0-18.

Second round - Antrim 2-16, Carlow 0-19; Westmeath 4-24, Meath 2-17.

FIXTURES

SUNDAY 13th MAY (3PM)
Tralee - Kerry v Laois.
SATURDAY 19th MAY (3PM)
Carlow - Carlow v Meath.
Cushendall - Antrim v Laois.
SUNDAY 20th MAY (3PM)
Tralee - Kerry v Westmeath.
SATURDAY 2nd JUNE (3PM)
Navan - Meath v Kerry.
Portlaoise - Laois v Carlow.
Mullingar - Westmeath v Antrim.
SATURDAY 9th JUNE (3PM)
Navan - Meath v Laois.
Carlow - Carlow v Westmeath.
Dunloy - Antrim v Kerry.