For Louth this game had four foot putt feel to it, a four foot putt....is one of the trickiest putts in golf, because they are the easiest! With the massive odds stacked against Westmeath going in to this game it was evitable win for Louth but not a formality. Unfortunately 70 minutes of football had to be played.
Louth started the least sluggish; Adrian Reid rounded the goalie but failed to get his shot away and got blown for over carrying, it was one of those, the decision was either that or a penalty. Amidst some atrocious footpassing and wide’s, Darren Clarke superbly kicked the first score of the game out the left wing. Ronan Greene made way for Pop Rath very early in the game, Strange considering Louth's defence wasn't under any real pressure..
Kickouts were a source of joy for Louth all day and Liam Shevlin broke the ball to himself and fed Ronan Carroll who broke through and opened his account for the day.
Blitz
Blitz
Introduced late to the Westmeath line up, Paul Sharry was very dynamic for Westmeath up front; he set up Trevor Inglis midway through the half for their opening score.
From the resulting kickout, A Good run by Philip Sheridan through the Louth defence saw him hand the ball off to debutant Callum McCormack and he slipped it by Neil Gallagher
From the resulting kickout, A Good run by Philip Sheridan through the Louth defence saw him hand the ball off to debutant Callum McCormack and he slipped it by Neil Gallagher
A one minute blitz gave the midlanders, an undeserved lead. 1-1 to 3
Carroll again accurately shot over a reply for Louth James Califf was taken off for Aaron Hoey to make his first appearance of the season, Peach will feel hard done by, and although getting little change out of the impressive Kieran Gavin, the lack of quality ball being sent in his direction did not help his cause.
Intensity? what intensity??
Intensity? what intensity??
Nevertheless the half still lacked intensity from both sides. It could be attributed to the soft ground, taking a lot out of the players so early in the season. Although it didn’t seem affect Paddy Keenan, who scored on the run after some industrious work from corner back Gerry Hoey.
Hoey had the unenviable task of tracking Denis Glennon for the afternoon, Glennon who plays out the field for Pat Flanagan, a strange tactic of starting off moves instead of finishing them.
Once again Louth took their foot off the gas and not only allowed Kieran Martin kick a good score to level but to go in at half time losing, a half in which they very much dominated. Callum McCormack notched another score to tell the grandkids about his debut.
Awakening
Awakening
It was Liam Shevlin who got the ball rolling, kicking from long range after linking well with Adrian Reid up the left flank which they did all afternoon. Darren Clarke tagged a free out of his hands and great hands from Brian Donnelly led to Paddy Keenan.
A naive Westmeath forward line minus their leader in King Dessie Dolan, couldn’t find their range all afternoon kicking wide after wide as a response to Louth’s efforts.
To make matters worse for Westmeath, Glennon went of injured but Keenan showed no sympathy kicking a well engineered score after Aaron Hoey kept the ball in play.
To make matters worse for Westmeath, Glennon went of injured but Keenan showed no sympathy kicking a well engineered score after Aaron Hoey kept the ball in play.
Hoey then extended the gap to three points finishing off a counter attack after Louth sustained some defensive pressure.
Lapse
A story of the whole afternoon for Louth was their lack of clinicalness this was typified in their search of the insurance fourth point, they laboured to get it, missing on numerous occasions but then Keenan, the certain difference between the two teams stood up and kicked the vital score with his left foot and inspiring others in doing so, most notably Brian Donnelly.
Lapse
A story of the whole afternoon for Louth was their lack of clinicalness this was typified in their search of the insurance fourth point, they laboured to get it, missing on numerous occasions but then Keenan, the certain difference between the two teams stood up and kicked the vital score with his left foot and inspiring others in doing so, most notably Brian Donnelly.
David Reid was then introduced for Jim McEnaney as Louth predictably took their foot off the gas, Alan Giles scored from play. Then Stephen Fitzpatrick fouled Giles as soon as he was introduced for Dessie Finnegan, Giles duly taped over the free himself to leave two in it.
Fortuitously for Louth, Westmeath weren’t good enough to punish the lapses in concentration and even force a draw. Darren Clarke had the final say, scoring a free at the death.
So the expected putt went in, just. but it still went in. Worryingly for Louth and their fans looking to the weeks ahead it wobbled more than it should have.
Best Man on View: Paddy Keenan: Possibly the only Division 2 worthy player on show
Best Westmeath Man on view: Kieran Gavin would be our main transfer target, if one existed in the GAA.
Scorers Chart
PK and DC joint top after sunday
Darren Clarke tops the single's Chart with ‘on the left, from play Right?’ from the album ‘Akilling heel’
(1) Paddy Keenan 4 play(1) Darren Clarke 4 3 free’s(3) Ronan Carroll 2 play
(4) Liam Shevlin 1 play
(5) Aaron Hoey 1 play
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