Despite recording a facile victory over Longford in their opening game of the Leinster championship, the Westmeath minor hurlers failed to qualify from the round-robin section and further disappointment followed in the All-Ireland 'B' championship when they succumbed to Kildare. After qualifying from the round-robin section of the Leinster minor hurling championship in 2003, Westmeath had hoped to at least equal that feat last year. Alas, it wasn't to be as they fell to neighbours Meath after hammering Longford in their opening game. Westmeath subsequently edged out Wicklow in the All-Ireland 'B' championship before their interests were ended at the semi-final stage by Kildare. Like their senior football and hurling counterparts, the minor hurlers were managed by an "outsider" in 2004. Offaly man Mel Ryan was appointed as successor to Pat Clancy with Eamonn Clarke (Castletown-Geoghegan), Eamonn Murphy (Brownstown) and Johnny Weir (Raharney) acting as selectors. As in previous years, Westmeath had intended to use the Leinster League to prepare for the championship but a decision to scrap this very worthwhile competition left them without any competitive action going into the round-robin series. Fortunately, their opening game came against a very poor Longford side who they beat comfortably on a 5-18 to 0-2 scorelne at Robinstown on April 10. The result was never in doubt with Westmeath on top in every department. The home side had four points on the board before Eamonn Og Clarke scored the opening goal in the 12th minute. With Adam Price in fine form from placed balls and Antoin Savage and Aaron Corrgian both finding the net (Savage scored two goals in quick succession), Westmeath went on to hold a commanding 4-10 to 0-1 lead at the interval. Longford doubled their tally when Brendan Cassidy pointed a free just after the restart, but they were not to score again as Mel Ryan's charges moved further in front. Despite making a raft of substitutions, Westmeath remained in the driving seat and their victory was embellished by a late goal from replacement Kenny Higgins. Confidence was high among the Westmeath players as they prepared to take on Meath at Pairc Tailteann, Navan a fortnight later. Westmeath won the corresponding fixture in 2003 but the Royal County exacted revenge with a deserved 1-12 to 2-6 victory on this occasion. A distinct lack of scoring power proved to be Westmeath's undoing and not even a late goal from Eddie O'Neill could prevent them from exiting the championship. The visitors started brightly with scores from Cosgrove, Brian Smith and Eddie O'Neill giving them an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead. However, Meath quickly levelled before a point from Christopher Curtis edged them in front. Westmeath regained the lead with scores from Adam Price and Cosgrove before O'Neill fired home the opening goal to give them a 1-6 to 0-5 advantage at the break. The second half bore witness to an inexplicable Westmeath fade-out as Meath stormed back to take the spoils. Within minutes of the restart, the Royals had regained the lead courtesy of points from David Wallace and Peter Dooran and a goal from the impressive Curtis. Dooran and Paul Fagan added further points before O'Neill revived Westmeath's hopes with his second goal. Sadly from a Westmeath perspective, that proved to be their only score of the half as Meath regrouped to run out three-point winners. Killian Cosgrove came close to saving the visitors in stoppage-time, but his close-in free was saved at the expense of a '65'. After a three-month lay-off, an understrength Westmeath team marked their return to action with a 0-11 to 0-10 victory over Wicklow in a hard-fought All-Ireland 'B' quarter-final at Parnell Park on July 17. The game looked to be heading for a replay until substitute Francis Boyle scored a last-gasp point from an acute angle on the left to give Westmeath a narrow win. With Andy O'Brien showing tremendous accuracy, Wicklow were full value for their 0-7 to 0-5 lead at half-time. But Westmeath, who had taken a long time to settle, gradually gained the upperhand in the second half and took the lead through freetaker Colm Mackey. Brian Smith and Alan Driver exchanged points as the clock ticked down towards the end and with the sides level with the game in injury-time, Raharney clubman Boyle arrived on the scene to fire over the winner. The season came to a disappointing end for Westmeath on August 1 when they succumbed to a far more committed Kildare team by 3-10 to 1-11 at Killeigh, Co. Offaly. The Lilywhites controlled the game for long periods and it was only in the closing stages that Westmeath showed glimpses of what they are capable of. By then, however, the game had gone from them as Kildare comfortably qualified for the final. Kildare established an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead with wing forward Shane Perry accounting for the goal. Brian Smith and Killian Cosgrove replied with points for the Lake County, but just when it seemed that Westmeath were forcing their way back into contention, Oisin Lynch scored a second goal to give the Lilywhites a 2-6 to 0-4 lead at the interval. Westmeath switched Cosgrove to full forward for the start of the second half and by the 43rd minute, they had reduced the deficit to six points, 0-8 to 2-8. Then, after both teams had a player each sent off, Kildare effectively put the result beyond doubt when Colm Feeney grabbed their third goal to leave the score reading 3-9 to 0-9. In the closing minutes, Westmeath rallied with points from Brian Smith and Eddie O'Neill before the latter blasted to the net to leave four points in it. However, the Lilywhites had the final say when Mark Cummins scored an insurance point in injury-time. The Westmeath team which lost to Kildare was; Christy Maloney; Anthony Doyle, Ger Clune, Adam Price; Christy Austin, Aaron Corrigan, Colm Mackey; Philip Gilsenan, Conor Jordan; Brian Smith, Killian Cosgrove, Francis Boyle; Eddie O'Neill, Niall Kilcoyne, Kenny Higgins. Subs used: Shane Egan, David Langan and Antoin Savage. Tweet

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