Westmeath hurlers took Galway out of their comfort zone

By NOEL CARNEY Galway ..5-19 Westmeath .4-12 THE SCORELINE tells its own story. Galway's first foray into the 2012 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, at Cusack Park, Mullingar last Sunday, proved that while they were well able to score at one end of the field they were conceding at an alarming rate when pressure was applied at the other end. Normally when a team wins a Championship match after amassing a 5-19 total it is a cause for uninhibited celebration and when Galway surged into a 1-12 to 0-4 half-time lead and quickly grabbed another goal when play resumed that scenario was duly unfolding. Few could have predicted that there would be a twist to the story from then on.[private] There was a tremendous rally by Westmeath as they bravely abandoned their cautious first-half approach and went at their opponents with a vengeance. So much so in fact that by the time Tipperary referee Johnny Ryan blew the final whistle the home fans were in as positive a mood as the visitors. They were rejoicing in the great second-half display by their team which resulted in them outscoring Galway 4-8 to 4-7 after the break. Admittedly they may have caught Galway napping to some extent as the game as a contest seemed to be over when Anthony Cunningham's men led 3-12 to 1-6 with just over twenty minutes remaining. David Burke had banged home two goals to sandwich one by Westmeath's Joe Clarke after the Galway defence had been asleep, and the leaders were strolling. In fairness to Galway they were always in control and never looked like losing even when they were giving away soft goals by carelessness in their own goalmouth and further out the field. They had too much class and scoring ability but there was genuine concern about the way they shipped those goals in the second half although Westmeath deserve credit for taking their chances when they were presented to them. Offaly are next up for Galway on June 17 at Portlaoise and they will have noted how the Maroon and White defence crumbled under pressure in the final quarter. This warning could be the making of Galway if they can learn from it and they certainly need to, if they are to stand any chance of toppling Ollie Baker's men who always rise to the challenge against their neighbours. It should not be forgotten that Athenry's Brian Hanley, who is doing a splendid job with Westmeath, had inspired them to a shock win over Antrim in their previous game. Like his counterparts in Galway he has turned to youth in a big way and he had three minors and a plethora of under-21s on the field at the end of this match. A team on the rise. Anthony Cunningham and his selectors Tom Helebert and Mattie Kenny were unable to consider goalkeeper James Skehill, Barry Daly, David Collins or Joe Canning due to injury and they will all strengthen their options for the Offaly encounter. Collins and Canning are sure of a return and the others are worthy of consideration but once again the real worry lies with the full-back line: Fergal Moore is fine in the left corner but there was plenty of debate afterwards about whether the experiment of trying a make a full-back out of Kevin Hynes should be continued. Kevin is a battler who never gives less than 100 per cent but he has played most of his hurling out the field and was successful there. The same could be said of David Collins who was tried in the League without ever being convincing, and Niall Donoghue is having a mixed season. There was no problem with that line or indeed any sector of the team in the first half as Galway slowly but surely got on top apart the decision to replace David Glennon with James Regan who took his opportunity by grabbing 1-1 within minutes of his arrival. Niall Burke was in immaculate form from placed balls, landing six frees, while Conor Cooney who replaced the absent Joe Canning got two points from play. David Burke, Iarla Tannian and Damien Hayes with a delightful effort from a tricky angle completed the 1-12 tally. Westmeath were battling away with plenty of spirit, without having much to show for their endeavour. They were using Eoin Price as a sweeper in defence and often augmented their half-back line while they were playing against a fairly stiff wind in the opening period. Niall O'Brien, only 17 and a fine prospect, converted three frees and Brendan Murtagh got one from play so their 0-4 total at the break left them 11 points adrift of Galway's midway score. It would have been worse had not young goalkeeper Shane McGovern brought off some excellent saves including one from Cyril Donnellan. When David Burke started the second-half goal feast following a wonderful move involving Tony Óg Regan, Andy Smith and Damien Hayes who fed him a brilliant pass, Galway were in a good position but one massive free by Niall O'Brien was followed by another nearer goal and when Joe Clarke netted their first goal on ten minutes it was down to double scores, 2-12 to 1-6, and Brian Hanley's men were growing in confidence. They answered another David Burke goal with one from Niall O'Brien but a Niall Burke 65, a Cyril Donnellan goal and a James Regan point made it 4-13 to 2-6 and a heavy defeat was on the cards even though points by James Regan, Donnellan and Iarla Tannian were answered by John Shaw, Paul Greville and O'Brien (free). After Andy Smith (after a pass by Cyril Donnellan) and Niall O'Brien at the other end got goals, the Lake County had a great point from Eoin Price from out in the middle of the field and they were really buzzing when Brendan Murtagh buried a free in the Galway net. It was then 5-16 to 4-10. The goals were finished but the points kept flowing with Niall Burke (free), Andy Smith and Damien Hayes topping up the Galway total while Westmeath's was rounded off by an O'Brien free and one from play by sub David Fennell. Both sides will take positives from this contest but Galway have plenty to work on before the Offaly game. The time for trials is over and it will be interesting to see if many changes are made, and what they will be. They were taken out of their comfort zone in the second half and were found wanting on several occasions. To be fair to them, they may not have been as fired up for this game as they will, hopefully, be next time out. They have a very young team and will learn from the experience but there will be no hiding place on June 17. Galway: F. Flannery; N. Donoghue, K. Hynes, F. Moore; P. Gordon, T. Óg Regan, J. Coen; I. Tannian (0-2), A. Smith (1-1); D. Burke (2-1), N. Burke (0-8, six frees, two 65s, C. Donnellan (1-1); D. Hayes (0-2), C. Cooney (0-2), D. Glennon. Subs: J. Regan (1-2) for Glennon, J. Glynn for Cooney, B. Flaherty for Gordon, R. Cummins for Donnellan, P. Brehony for N. Burke. Westmeath: S. McGovern; C. Jordan, A. Price, P. Fennell; P. Dowdall, A. McGrath, P. Greville (0-1); A. Clarke, J. Clarke (1-0); B. Murtagh (1-1, 1-0 free), F. Boyle, R. Greville;  N. O'Brien (2-7, 0-7 frees), J. Shaw (0-1), E. Price (0-1). Subs: J. Gilligan for Boyle, D. Fennell (0-1) for J. Clarke, T. Gallagher for Jordan. Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary). Herald Sport Man of the Match: Niall O'Brien (Westmeath).[/private]