Westmeath Senior Hurling manager Brian Hanley described the Lake County's victory over Antrim in the Leinster SHC this afternoon, as 'probably the best 70 minutes' he has had as a manager of any side.

Six points in arrears in first half injury-time, and down to 14 men after 30 minutes after a second yellow card to defender Conor Jordan the Lake County battled bravely to deliver a two-point win.

"I'm only in management a few short years, but that (was super)," he said.

"That performance was in us. I knew on Thursday night when we had a 15-a-side game out on that pitch (Cusack Park) and I said lads stop it. 

"If ye can keep that determination and drive that we had, because I knew that we would be in with a chance.

"Our game-plan was very simple, with no disrespect to anyone; to keep us in the game for the last 20 minutes.

"I have said it in every interview that I have done from the day against Offaly in the Walsh Cup that I thought our fitness had been superior to every other team that we played.

"Our game-plan was to put us in a position to win with 20 minutes to go and that's what we did.

"Our fitness came good again I think and that's my opinion. People watching might be different, but we played the day well and all of us, we got the occasion right." Tweet

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