They may not have made the most auspicious start to their Leinster
championship campaign but newly-promoted Westmeath will take considerable
heart from their 2-10 to 1-10 win over Longford yesterday given that it was
their first championship victory in four years.
The more positive and forceful side in the first-half, Westmeath enjoyed a
five point interval advantage (2-5 to 0-5) thanks to goals from Alan Mangan
(penalty) and Denis Glennon. They appeared to be cruising, though, when they
led by 2-9 to 0-8 in the third quarter before Paul Barden pounced for a 65th
minute goal that offered a ray of hope to Longford.
In a tense finish, Westmeath, inspired by Martin Flanagan at midfield, held
out to win but manager Tomas O Flatharta recognises that they have work to
do if they hope to advance further.
"We maybe thought we had the game sown up but Longford came back at us.
They got their goal when they needed it most and we certainly had to fight
for our win", said the Westmeath boss.
His team will now meet Offaly in four weeks time at Tullamore while Longford
now face a two month spell in limbo before sampling action in the
all-Ireland qualifiers.
Meanwhile, the Minnows were in action in the Ulster Senior Hurling
Championship yesterday when Monaghan just managed to outgun neighbours Cavan
by 2-15 to 1-16 while Tyrone were pushed to the pin of their collar by a
lively Fermanagh side before they managed to come out on top by 1-11 to 2-7.
This is the first year in which all nine Ulster counties will compete in the
senior hurling championship and the decision to make it an all-embracing
competition was certainly vindicated given the skill, commitment and passion
on offer yesterday.
The Ulster Senior Football Championship will be officially launched at the
Ramada hotel Belfast when Ulster Council chiefs are expected to announce a
robust marketing policy.
The championship will get underway next weekend when Antrim host Cavan at
Casement Park, Belfast before the spotlight turns on Brewster Park,
Enniskillen on Sunday week when Fermanagh will take on Monaghan.
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