Westmeath's gallant effort against Dublin in the Leinster hurling championship proved the highlight of a year when definite progress was made. While their performances in the 2002 National League were nothing to write home about, the Westmeath senior hurlers showed a marked improvement in the Leinster championship and could consider themselves unlucky not to have salvaged something from their encounter with Dublin. Westmeath's gallant display against the Metropolitans was undoubtedly the highlight of a season in which definite progress was made under manager Michael Conneely. Dublin may not be one of hurling's superpowers, but they have been holding their own in Division 1 of the National League for the past number of years. That a young Westmeath team matched them in virtually every department must be a source of huge encouragement for supporters as the team gears up for a new campaign. The season began on a winning note when Westmeath overcame Kildare by 1-16 to 0-15 in the Kehoe Cup semi-final at Collinstown on February 17. The Lilywhites made the better start by notching a brace of early points, but a well-taken goal by Gary Briody had the home side in front by the 10th minute. However, Kildare enjoyed the better of things in remainder of the half and, with Colm Buggy and Tom Carew hitting some fine scores, they had edged into a 0-9 to 1-5 lead at the interval. On the resumption, Ronan Whelan and Briody fired over three unanswered points to put Westmeath two clear. Further minors from Briody, Whelan, Robert Galvin and Vincent Bateman had Westmeath sitting on a commanding lead before Kildare launched a late comeback. But it wasn't enough to deny the men in maroon victory on a 1-16 to 0-15 scoreline. Collinstown was again the venue for the Kehoe Cup final against holders Wicklow on March 3. Westmeath entered the game in a confident frame of mind, but despite playing the entire second half with a numerical advantage, succumbed to a hugely disappointing 0-8 to 1-13 defeat. There was little to separate the sides in the first half with Wicklow taking a slender 0-6 to 0-4 lead into the break. Few would have betted against the home side after Wicklow had star forward Don Hyland sent off for a second yellow card offence on the stroke of half-time, but the team with 14 men had other ideas and had increased their advantage to 1-8 to 0-4 by the end of the third quarter. Points from Ronan Whelan, Philip Galvin and Brendan Murtagh reduced the deficit to three points, but Wicklow dominated the closing stages to copperfasten victory. Westmeath's lack of scoring power was reflected in the fact that four of the six forwards which started were substituted. Westmeath carried that poor form into Division 2A of the National League when they suffered a 1-7 to 2-18 opening round defeat to Down at Portaferry. The scoreline was a mite harsh on Westmeath who only trailed by 1-6 to 0-13 with 10 minutes remaining. But hopes of a positive outcome faded between the 50th and 54th minutes when the home side scored two goals to put considerable daylight between the sides. Westmeath's top scorer was Robert Galvin with 1-1. On March 18, Westmeath collected their first brace of league points with a 1-14 to 1-10 victory over Roscommon at Cusack Park. Substitute Nicky Weir was the hero for Michael Conneely's side with his 1-1 just before half-time proving the difference between the teams in the end. Roscommon were 1-1 to 0-1 in front after 10 minutes, but Westmeath eventually settled with unanswered points from Andrew Mitchell, Donal Devine, Barry Kennedy and Frank Shaw giving them a 0-6 to 1-2 lead after 26 minutes. Former Clonkill midfielder Colm Kelly levelled for the visitors before Weir scored a 33rd minute goal and followed up with a point to leave Westmeath perched on a 1-7 to 1-4 lead at the break. Roscommon remained in touch in the second half, but any hopes they had of taking something from the game were dashed when Brian Conaty produced a marvellous save from Brendan Mannion with five minutes remaining. A week later, Westmeath faltered to their second defeat against Antrim at Casement Park. The Glensmen led by 1-7 to 0-2 coming up on 35 minutes of play. Then Aidan Delargy grabbed a goal and deep into added time, his brother Sean fired another goal to bury Westmeath's hopes. Although Westmeath improved in the second half, they never looked like challenging Antrim's lead, especially when Brian McFall scored their fourth goal 16 minutes from time. But for the accuracy of Andrew Mitchell, Westmeath would have finished more than 13 points in arrears, 0-12 to 4-13. Westmeath's final outing in Division 2A resulted in a disappointing 1-9 to 0-12 draw with Kildare at Cusack Park. The opening quarter was keenly contested, but the maroons then took control with Barry Kennedy's 25th minute goal helping them to establish a 1-8 to 0-4 lead at the break. Amazingly, Westmeath could only manage one further point in the second half as Kildare fought back to snatch a draw. Because of Westmeath's inferior scoring difference to that of the Lilywhites, they were condemned to a relegation play-off against London. Played at the Fingallians ground in Swords, Co. Dublin on April 13, the play-off looked like going to the wire after a close first half, but Westmeath took control on the restart to run out comfortable 4-12 to 0-12 winners. The Exiles were well in contention in the first half, drawing level twice and then leading by a point briefly. It took points by Andrew Mitchell and Daniel Carty and a John Shaw goal to give Westmeath a 2-5 to 0-8 interval lead. London reduced the deficit to two points early in the second half, but Westmeath then upped the tempo with goals from Pat Clarke and Darren McCormack ending the game as a contest. Westmeath renewed rivalries with Kildare in the Leinster preliminary round quarter-final at Cusack Park on April 28. With no back door in existence, this was a make or break game for both sides. The home side were quickest out of the blocks with points from Andrew Mitchell and Alfie Devine, but the Lilywhites then helped themselves to four successive points to take a double-scores advantage. Mitchell added four more points, but a goal from Joe Dempsey on the stroke of half-time left Kildare 1-7 to 0-6 in front and Westmeath with a mountain to climb in the second half. With the breeze behind them, however, Westmeath soon restored parity courtesy of points from Gary Briody, Barry Kennedy, Brendan Murtagh and Mitchell. Tom Carew and Mitchell then exchanged minors before the latter edged the homesters in front. Mitchell continued his tour de force with a goal direct from a long range free and when the same player tagged on another point, Westmeath led by 1-13 to 1-8. Colm Buggy replied with a brace of points for the Lilywhites, but a late effort from Alfie Devine sealed a 1-14 to 1-10 victory for the team in maroon. Kildare's misery was completed when they had full back John Brennan sent off in the closing stages. On the same day as the county's footballers faced Carlow in the Leinster championship at Portlaoise, the hurlers came tantalizingly close to causing an upset in the Leinster preliminary round semi-final at a sun-splashed Cusack Park on May 12, only losing by 1-12 to 2-12. A replay would almost certainly have been required had inspirational wing back Darren McCormack's kicked attempt in injury time not drifted inches wide of the Dublin goal. When the final whistle sounded moments later, there was huge relief in the Dublin camp as they would be the first to acknowledge that Westmeath deserved a second bite at the cherry. Dublin came into the tie as raging hot favourites, but Westmeath matched them stride for stride and it was only the brilliance of Shane Martin that separated the teams. The Crumlin sharpshooter proved a real thorn in the side of the Westmeath defence, finishing with a personal tally of 2-3. Both his goals were taken with great style and they needed to be as the Westmeath defence gave little away all afternoon. Westmeath could take a great deal of encouragement from the displays of Brendan Murtagh, Darren McCormack and Christo Murtagh in defence while John Brennan and John Shaw also fared well. Up front, though, they lacked the necessary physique and penetration to trouble what was a dominant Dublin full back line. The visitors were quickly into their stride with early points from Kevin Flynn (free) and Martin. McCormack, who pushed Martin hard for man of the match, got Westmeath off the mark in the ninth minute before Paul O'Donoghue restored Dublin's two point advantage. Points from Vincent Bateman and Andrew Mitchell (free) brought Westmeath level before another Flynn free edged Dublin back in front. Brennan levelled again for the home side after 20 minutes, but Martin had the Metropolitans back in front two minutes later. Daniel Carty and Martin then exchanged points before a wonderful sideline cut by Shaw left it 0-6 each at half-time. Dublin, who never trailed at any stage, went back in front 40 seconds after the restart when O'Donoghue pointed. Mitchell replied from a free for Westmeath, but two quick scores from Carl Meehan and O'Donoghue suggested that Dublin were finally getting on top. Westmeath refused to roll over, however, and they had restored parity once again by the ninth minute thanks to points from Mitchell (65) and Gary Briody. Another free from Flynn was followed, in the 18th minute, by Martin's opening goal. For once, Ger Ennis broke free of the shackles of full back Murtagh to put the wing forward in the clear and he made no mistake from close range. Westmeath kept in the touch with scores from Shaw, Mitchell and Bateman, but when a long delivery from sub Tommy Moore was first-timed to net by Martin in the 27th minute, giving Dublin a six-point cushion, the game seemed to be over as a contest. But Westmeath kept plugging away and John Shaw set up a grandstand finish when his low drive beat Brendan McLoughlin at his near post in the 31st minute. Michael Conneely's charges piled on the pressure thereafter but two bad wides, followed by McCormack's agonising miss, left them with nothing to show for their efforts. In late June, Westmeath regrouped for an All-Ireland 'B' championship quarter-final meeting with Roscommon at Ballinasloe. Surprisingly, the maroons trailed for 47 minutes, but never looked back after Daniel Carty put them ahead with a goal. A second goal from Andrew Mitchell, along with points from John Shaw and Ronan Whelan, propelled Westmeath to a somewhat flattering 2-19 to 3-7 victory. Roscommon had led by 3-4 to 0-10 at the interval thanks to goals from Darragh Mulvey, Tomas Lennon and Damien Lohan, but failed to last the pace following the change of ends. The season reached an end for Westmeath on July 14 when they lost to Laois in the All-Ireland 'B' semi-final at O'Moore Park. Played as a curtain-raiser to the Tipperary v Offaly All-Ireland qualifier, the game provided plenty of excitement, particularly in the second half when Westmeath reduced the deficit from 10 points to three before eventually losing by four, 0-19 to 3-14. The sides were level on 0-4 each before unanswered points from Ollie Dowling, James Young (two) and David Cuddy put the O'Moore County firmly in the driving seat. Andrew Mitchell and Ronan Whelan replied with scores for the visitors, but Laois still led by 0-10 to 0-6 at the interval. With regular goalkeeper Brian Conaty forced to retire through injury, Laois took full advantage on the restart with David Cuddy bagging a brace of goals. Westmeath rallied with points from Mitchell, Whelan, Ollie Devine and John Shaw, but they were rocked for a third time when PJ Peacock blasted to the net. Laois had restored an eight-point advantage, 3-12 to 0-13, midway through the second half, but Westmeath showed admirable battling qualities to cut the deficit to three points after efforts from Darren McCormack and Shaw (four). Laois nerves were eased, however, when substitute Jack O'Shea fired over the insurance point in injury-time. Antrim result highlight of league campaign Westmeath's defeat of reigning Ulster champions Antrim proved the highlight of a mixed 2003 National Hurling League Division 2A campaign. After losing their first two games to Kildare and Down, Michael Conneely's charges chalked up three wins on the trot against Antrim, Roscommon and Carlow to put themselves in contention for promotion. But phase two of the competition proved a major disappointment with defeats to Kerry and Meath consigning Westmeath to another year in Division 2. The campaign began on a disastrous note when Westmeath lost to Kildare by 0-11 to 3-10 at Clane. A Joe Dempsey goal helped the Lilywhites to a 1-6 to 0-6 lead at the break. The visitors, who had struggled to make an impact up front, reduced the deficit to the minimum in the 48th minute when Shane McDonnell pointed. However, Kildare responded with a goal from a Billy White free before Dempsey notched his second goal late on. Westmeath's next outing resulted in a 0-11 to 1-15 home defeat to Down. Despite being reliant on Paul Braniff and Martin Coulter jnr for much of their scores - the pair notched 0-13 between them - Down were full value for their win. Favoured by a strong wind in the first half, the home side led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter, but a flurry of scores helped Down to a 0-8 to 0-6 lead at half-time and they were never troubled after wing back Barry Milligan rifled a 25 metres free to the net just after the restart. Westmeath were quickest out of the starting blocks with points from Brendan Murtagh (two), Andrew Mitchell (two) and Barry Kennedy propelling them into an early three-point lead. But the Mournemen then enjoyed a fine spell of dominance which yielded unanswered scores from Coulter (two), Braniff (two), Gerard McGrattan and Gareth Johnson. John Shaw replied with a point for Westmeath to leave two in it at half-time. Down took a firm grip on proceedings when Milligan scored the only goal three minutes after the restart. Thereafter, the visitors comfortably maintained their advantage. Two first half goals against the breeze laid the foundations for Westmeath's first win of the campaign against Roscommon at Woodmount. Jonathan Forbes notched the opening goal after just five minutes and, while Mervyn Connaughton, Adrian Coyne, Shane Sweeney and Colm Kelly replied with points for Roscommon, a John Shaw goal ensured the visitors of a 2-6 to 0-10 lead at the break. The second half was one-way traffic as Westmeath scored 1-8 to the home side's 0-1. Gary Briody scored the Lake County's third goal in their 3-14 to 0-11 win. Westmeath caused a major upset on March 23 when they recorded a thrilling 2-15 to 1-15 victory over eventual Division 2 winners Antrim at Cusack Park. Gary Briody opened the scoring for the home side and further points from the same player and Paddy Dowdall had them 0-3 to 0-1 in front after 10 minutes. Liam Watson replied with three points for Dinny Cahill's side, but Westmeath led by 0-7 to 0-4 after 25 minutes thanks to scores from John Shaw, Andrew Mitchell, Darren McCormack and Briody. Sean Delargy reduced the gap to two before the outstanding Mitchell blasted the opening goal on the half-hour mark following good work by Daniel Carty. Further points from Mitchell (two) and McCormack gave Westmeath a 1-10 to 0-6 lead at the break. Ciaran Herron opened the second half scoring from a free, but when Mitchell converted a penalty and followed up with a point, the home side were 11 points to the good. To their credit, Antrim refused to give up the fight and hit back with points from Brian McFaul, Aidan Murt, Watson (two) and Herron. Then, with six minutes remaining, Watson scored a goal and McFaul followed up with a point to leave just two in it, 2-13 to 1-14. Having managed just one point in a 24-minute spell, Westmeath showed great character to respond with scores from Shaw and Dowdall. Ryan McNaughton left a goal between the sides in the first minute of injury-time before Brian Conaty denied the Glensmen a share of the spoils when he produced a brilliant save from Watson. A first half hat-trick of goals from young corner forward Daniel Carty put the maroon and whites on the road to a resounding 5-14 to 0-13 win over Carlow at Cusack Park on April 13. Carty's three-goal blast helped Westmeath to a 3-7 to 0-8 lead at the interval and, while Pat Coady tried his best to spark a Carlow recovery, the home side's lead never came under serious threat and they put the seal on an impressive performance with late goals from Christo Murtagh and Darren McCormack. Carty had completed his hat-trick after just 16 minutes, while further points from Paddy Dowdall (two), John Shaw and Darren McCormack had Westmeath perched nicely on a 3-6 to 0-3 lead after 20 minutes. Carlow made some inroads into the Westmeath lead in the closing 15 minutes of the half to leave eight points between the sides at the break. Three further points from Coady, to which Shaw and Carty replied for Westmeath, cut the gap to seven on the restart. But that was as close as Carlow would come as Westmeath restored their three-goal advantage with points from Shaw and substitute Jonathan Forbes. Carlow pulled on back through Gary Doran before Westmeath cut loose again with points from Carty (two) and Forbes, and a 65th minute goal from Murtagh. Coady sent a penalty over the bar before McCormack scored Westmeath's fifth goal in injury-time to leave them a whopping 16 points clear at the finish. The wheels came off Westmeath's promotion drive a week later when they succumbed to Kerry in rather tame circumstances at Cusack Park. The visitors, who emerged as surprisingly comfortable 2-21 to 2-10 winners, had an ace in the pack in Shane Brick whose marksmanship was a real feature of the match. Westmeath failed to build on a ninth minute goal by Jonathan Forbes and, instead, Billy Brick gave Kerry the leg-up they needed with a goal to give them a 1-8 to 1-6 lead at the break. A Daniel Carty goal after 43 minutes raised Westmeath hopes, but the unerring accuracy of Shane Brick saw the eventual Division 2 finalists coast to victory. With nothing but pride to play for, Westmeath fielded a weakened team against Meath in their final outing at Pairc Tailteann, Navan and were duly beaten on a 3-11 to 4-17 scoreline. The Royals laid the foundations for victory in the first half when they established a big lead. Evan Lynam's goal in the 14th minute enabled them to stamp their authority on the game. Top scorer Nicky Horan added a second goal from a penalty seven minutes later to help them open up a 2-12 to 1-4 lead at the break. With the wind to their backs in the second half, Westmeath reduced the deficit, but the dismissal of corner back Martin Williams ended any hopes of them making a recovery. Horan added his second goal from a 20 metres free and, although the visitors replied with a similar score from John Shaw, a late Mickey Cole strike put the seal on Meath's victory. Tweet

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