Sport

Westmeath win battle of the fittest

Westmeath 0-12 Limerick 0-9 This meeting at Mullingar yesterday lived up to its top-of-the-table billing, the home team getting…

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Mon Mar 03 2003 - 00:00

Westmeath 0-12 Limerick 0-9 This meeting at Mullingar yesterday lived up to its top-of-the-table billing, the home team getting the verdict, despite a strong finish from Limerick.

The pattern was set in the opening quarter as the teams shared six points. Des Dolan (two) and Fergal Wilson were the Westmeath scorers while Muiris Gavin (two) and John Murphy were on target for the Shannon side.

Limerick edged in front for what turned out to be the only time when Gavin pointed a 20-metre free as the tit for tat nature of the scoring continued right up to half-time, which saw Westmeath in front, 0-7 to 0-6.

Just before the break Martin Flanagan's powerful shot had struck the lower part of Limerick goalkeeper Seamus O'Donnell's left upright. The ball rebounded to the onrushing Gary Dolan, but his first-time drive flew wide.

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Westmeath started the second half strongly, Fergal Wilson (free), Gary Dolan, JP Casey and Wilson again each shooting over.

Then came a moment of drama, Shane Kelly's superbly struck 20-metre drive slamming off the Westmeath crossbar and into Gavin's hands. The Limerick number 13 looked certain to score a goal, but goalkeeper Aiden Lennon denied him with a brilliant save.

Kelly was on target when he pointed a free from an acute angle after a foul out near the stand sideline.

The teams exchanged a further point each, Michael Ennis for Westmeath and Gavin (free) the scorers. Limerick continued to press forward, Conor Mullae shooting over from a difficult angle. Moments later Kelly had a goal disallowed, Lennon being fouled in the lead up.

WESTMEATH: A Lennon; D Healy, D Mitchell, K Henson; B Morley, D Gavin, D Kilmartin; R O'Connell (0-1), M Flanagan; F Wilson (0-3), A Mangan (0-1), M Ennis (0-1); JP Casey (0-1), G Dolan (0-2), D Dolan (0-3). Subs: D Heavin for Gavin and P Leavy for Casey.

LIMERICK: S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, D Sheehy, T Stack; S Lavin, D Reidy, P Browne; J Quane, J Galvin; S Kelly (0-1), J Murphy (0-1), C Mullae (0-1); M Gavin (0-6), J Stokes, M Reidy. Subs: B Begley for Murphy, C Fitzgerald for J Quane.

Referee: M Collins (Cork).