Having lost quite heavily to Dublin in the Leinster championship quarter-final, the Westmeath under 21 hurlers bounced back to claim All-Ireland 'B' honours for the second time in four years. Here, we review a successful year for Johnny McCormack's charges. Westmeath were crowned All-Ireland under 21 'B' hurling champions for a third time last August following a 3-10 to 0-12 victory over Mayo in the final at Dr Hyde Park. The success was overshadowed, however, by the fact that only 17 players from a panel of 25 made themselves available for selection. County minor player Derek McNicholas was drafted into the starting line-up at the 11th hour, but up until a short time before the throw-in, it was feared that Westmeath may have to concede a walkover such was the poor turnout of players. McNicholas proved to be an inspired call-up, scoring 2-1 from the full forward position. But why so many players failed to turn up for an All-Ireland final is a question that will be asked by hurling supporters for some time to come. Under the guidance of Johnny McCormack (Castlepollard) and his co-selectors Noel Briody (Lough Lene Gaels) and Pat O'Toole (Clonkill), the under 21s had five championship outings, four of which resulted in victories. Their only defeat was suffered at the hands of Dublin in the Leinster championship quarter-final and perhaps this was a factor in the failure of so many players to show an interest in the All-Ireland 'B' championship. Westmeath were at full strength when they played host to Kildare in their opening game which was a Leinster 'B' championship quarter-final. The Lilywhites had looked the more accomplished team in the opening three-quarters of the contest, but Westmeath finished very strongly to secure a dramatic 2-16 to 1-13 victory. Kildare made a dream start with Ciaran Divilly finding the net from a long-range free. But a brace of points from John Shaw and Ronan Whelan had reduced the deficit to the minimum before Whelan scored a goal to give the home side the lead for the first time. Kildare, however, responded impressively with a flurry of points from Divilly, Padraig Fitzgerald, Billy White and Tony Murphy propelling them into a 1-6 to 1-3 lead. Shaw and Brendan Murtagh replied for Westmeath, but they still trailed by 1-6 to 1-7 at the interval. In the third quarter, the Lilywhites surged into a four-point advantage and their lead would have been greater if Kevin Fitzpatrick had not made a great save to deny White. But when White was forced to retire with an injury, the tide quickly turned in Westmeath's favour. Within six minutes of him leaving the field, the home side scored 1-6 to put themselves on the road to victory. Brendan Murtagh accounted for the goal directly from a '65, while Shaw, Paddy Dowdall, Daniel Carty and Enda Loughlin also weighed in with points to complete the Westmeath comeback. Three weeks later, Westmeath travelled to Navan where they overcame the challenge of Wicklow by 2-15 to 2-9 to qualify for the final. The maroons raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead, only for Wicklow to level with a goal from Chris Kavanagh. But Westmeath soon regained the initiative and a series of fine points from Shaw, Carty, Niall Flanagan and Mark McNicholas had them perched on a 0-11 to 1-4 lead at the break. On the restart, Westmeath strengthened their grip on proceedings with a brace of goals from Shaw. An Edward Kennedy goal sparked a late Wicklow rally, but Westmeath comfortably held on for a six-point win. On the June Bank Holiday Monday, Westmeath caused a mild surprise when they defeated a fancied Carlow by 1-18 to 1-9 at Dr Cullen Park to capture the Leinster 'B' title. The Barrowsiders were bidding for a third title on the trot and when they surged into an early 1-1 to 0-0 lead, the signs looked ominous for the visitors. But the complexion of the match changed when Daniel Carty replied with a seventh minute goal for Westmeath. By the end of the first quarter, Westmeath had edged into a 1-3 to 1-2 lead thanks to points from Murtagh, John Shaw and Carty. The visitors increased their advantage in the second quarter with further efforts from Shaw and Mark McNicholas giving them a 1-5 to 1-3 cushion at half-time. Westmeath played probably their best hurling of the campaign following the changeover. In a tremendous spell of dominance, they hit seven points without reply to effectively end the game as a contest. Carlow then staged a mini-revival to reduce the deficit to 1-12 to 1-6 before McNicholas, Shaw, Enda Loughlin and Carty registered further scores to secure an emphatic win for the visitors. As Leinster 'B' champions, Westmeath qualified for the championship proper where they met Dublin in the quarter-final at Cusack Park. The gulf in class quickly became apparent as a stronger and technically better Dublin side exposed major weaknesses in the Westmeath team. The home side competed well in the opening half and were just three points in arrears after 25 minutes. However, Dublin then found an extra gear, outscoring Westmeath by 0-5 to 0-1 to take a 1-10 to 0-6 lead into the interval. Mark McNicholas raised hopes of a Westmeath recovery when he pointed on the restart, but three points in response from Conal Keaney and a point each from Padraig Fluery and Fergal Chambers only served to underline Dublin's superiority. The brilliant Keaney put the result beyond all doubt when he scored Dublin's second goal midway through the half, enabling the Metropolitans to run out facile winners on a 2-22 to 0-9 scoreline. Westmeath's earlier victory over Carlow meant that they qualified automatically for the All-Ireland 'B' final. Despite the absence of so many players, the midlanders fought back from a one-point deficit early in the second half to run out seven-point winners. The first half was an evenly-contested affair with the sides on level terms, 1-4 to 0-7, at the interval. Mark McNicholas made an immediate impact, scoring 1-1 in the early stages. But Mayo recovered impressively with points from the excellent Derek McConn and Paul Broderick restoring parity before half-time. When McConn shot the Westerners into a 0-8 to 1-4 lead on the restart, Westmeath looked to have a major battle on their hands. But after points from Derek McNicholas and Enda Loughlin had restored Westmeath's advantage, late call-up McNicholas swooped for a decisive goal to put Johnny McCormack's charges firmly in the driving seat. Moments later, McNicholas scored his side's third goal after Keith Fitzpatrick's initial effort had been parried by Mayo 'keeper Thomas Duffy. The Connacht side managed to reduce the deficit to six points before late scores from Mark McNicholas and Padraig Fanning sealed Westmeath's win. Afterwards, GAA President Sean Kelly presented the All-Ireland 'B' Shield to Westmeath captain Brendan Murtagh. Ironically, when Westmeath previously won the title in 2000, Mayo were also their victims in the decider. The Westmeath team which captured the All-Ireland under 21 'B' hurling title was: Pat Burke; Daniel Clune, John Fagan, Enda Murray; Damien Kiernan (0-1), Brendan Murtagh (0-2), Shane Owens; Conaire Flanagan, Enda Loughlin (0-1); John Curran, Adrian Smyth, Padraig Fanning (0-2); Derek McNicholas (2-1), Mark McNicholas (1-2), Keith Fitzpatrick. Subs used: Fergal Moran (0-1) and Damien Grifferty. Tweet

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