A magnificent first-half display, in which they built up a nine-point lead, paved the way for Castlepollard to win this tremendously exciting Westmeath final repaly, against champions Lough Lene Gaels at Cusack Park, Mullingar.
Demonstrating a brand of positive and skilful hurling Castlepollard, thanks to the accuracy of Sean McLoughlin and Barry Kennedy, raced into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead and when Brendan Murphy crashed home a goal in the 21st minute, the title holders were in real trouble.
Castlepollard: S Lynch; J Murray, M Dermody, B Smyth; N Devine, D McCormack, JP Murray; D Devine 0-1, A Devine 0-1; B Murphy 1-0, O. Devine 1-1, S. McLoughlin 0-5, B. Kennedy 0-3, R. McLoughlin, JJ McLoughlin. Subs: P Callery for R McLoughlin,L Kennedy for M Dermody.
Lough Lene Gaels: M Briody; T Daly, M Murtagh, M Kennedy; D Mortimer, B Williams 1-1, C Williams; M Shaw 0-1, J Gavigan; J Williams 0-1, M Wiliams, P Williams 1-4; J Kennedy 0-1, C Murtagh, F O'Farrell. Sub: G Brody for J Gavigan.
Referee: T O'Dowd (Mullingar).
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