Disappointing final home league defeat for Carlow
Carlow’s Conor Kehoe dejected after the game against Westmeath at Netwatch Cullen Park. Photo: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
A masterful performance from Killian Doyle, inspired Westmeath to victory in this National Hurling League Division 1B game at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday. The centre-forward was superb on the day scoring 1-15.
The experienced Doyle was on fire right from the off as he fired over three points without reply. His goal direct from a free was badly defended as his 30-metre free strike flew in to the top left-hand corner of the net at the scoreboard end of the ground.
Carlow hit back with a goal of their own from Marty Kavanagh. The home side appeared to have found a higher gear when Jake Doyle took a pass from Donagh Murphy and gave Westmeath goalkeeper, Jack Gillen, no chance.
The visitors hit back with David Williams netting. He added Westmeath’s third as the Carlow defence were opened up on both occasions. At the interval, the eventual winners led 3-8 to 2-7.
Points were exchanged in the opening attacks of the second half before Kavanagh passed to Conor Kehoe and his fellow St Mullins clubman finished to the net. The home side went on to take a narrow lead with a great one-pointer from Murphy. Westmeath had more to offer.
Two points from Doyle and another through Williams cancelled out a solitary effort for Carlow from Fiachra Fitzpatrick. The visitors were five points clear with just over a minute to go.
The Lake County raiders held out in the closing minutes. Carlow did have points through John Michael Nolan and Kavanagh (free) but a clear goal chance never presented itself as Westmeath stood their ground to take the victory.
Jack Gillen; Conor Gaffney , Eoin Keyes , Gary Greville; Aaron Craig, Robbie Greville, Shane Williams; Davy Glennon, Eamon Cunneen (0-1); Joseph Boyle (0-1), Killian Doyle (1-15 1-7fs 2-65s),, Mark Cunningham; David O’Reilly, Niall O’Brien, David Williams (2-1).
Peter Clarke for Cunningham (45), Darragh Clinton for Glennon (55),
Kyle Foley; Paul Doyle, Niall Bolger, Lorcan Doyle; Colm Beck, Kevin McDonald, Darragh Nolan; Jon Nolan (0-1) Fiachra Fitzpatrick (0-1); Jake Doyle (1-0), Marty Kavanagh (1-7, 6fs) Fiach O’Toole (0-1); Conor Kehoe (1-1), Jack Treacy (0-1), Donagh Murphy (0-2).
John Michael Nolan (0-1) for O’Toole (53), Ted Joyce for J Doyle (60), Eric English for Treacy (66), Chris Nolan for Murphy (72), Richie Coady for Fitzpatrick (72),
Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
