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Mike O’Halloran was in Mullingar on Saturday to witness a gutsy Kerry defeat Westmeath in the Joe McDonagh Cup Round 2 game…
Kerry 1-21
Westmeath 2-16
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
What a day in Mullingar! Kerry banished the ghost of the defeat to Antrim with a brilliant win over Westmeath in their home ground.
The margin at the end was only two points, but the margin could have been a lot more such was the Kerry dominance, especially in the second half.
Kerry set out their stall early on with huge commitment to every tackle and tussle and massive aggression.
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Paddy Kelly up front laid down a marker early on, while at the back Michael Boyle marshalled the Kerry defence and led by example.
Michael O’Leary was also putting his big frame to use, catching some great ball and driving at the Westmeath defence.
Thirteen minutes into the game Westmeath were ahead by three points after the excellent Killian Doyle slotted over a sideline cut, five points to three at this stage.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Almost immediately after that Padraig Boyle has a shot smothered that should have resulted in a goal. Then came a purple patch from Kerry with points from Conway three Colum Harty and Patrick Kelly one each.
At halftime it was eight points all, with Killian Doyle scoring two points in a row.
Within minutes of the restart, Westmeath were ahead by a goal from replacement Alan Devine after John Brendan O’Halloran had made a good save.
Shortly after Jordan Conway replaced Patrick Kelly and what a substitution that was, he ended up scoring three points.
Twelve minutes into the second half the Westmeath lead was again out to a goal 1-11 to 0-11, the two Conways drew Kerry level and on 21 minutes Jordan had Kerry ahead.
On 26 minutes, the sides were level again after Westmeath forced another goal. Colum Harty put Kerry back in front with a superb goal created for him by Michael Slattery who had replaced Dan Goggin.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kerry lost Tomas O’Connor to a second yellow after that, but it did not dent their resolve even though Westmeath had the next three scores to to draw level 1-17 to 2-14. Westmeath added two more but Kerry tagged on four to win by two.
Shane Conway scored thirteen points from placed balls but his contribution in open play was absolutely magical, one of his best passages of play was early in the second half when he tormented three or four Westmeath defenders to present Michael O’Leary with a point opportunity.
Such a pity only ten Kerry supporters showed up to see this exhibition of true grit and skill.
Kerry Team and scorers
1. John Brendan O’Halloran 2. James O’Connor(0-01)
3. Bryan Murphy 4. Seán Weir 5. Evan Murphy
6. Patrick Kelly(0-01) (Jordan Conway)(0-03)
7. Daniel Collins 8. Dan Goggin (Michael Slattery)
9. Tomás O’Connor 10. Michael O’Leary(0-01)
11. Shane Conway(0-13, 7 frees, 2,65s )
12. Jack Goulding 13. Padraig Boyle(0-01)
14. Michael Boyle 15. Colum Harty(1-01)
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
