Antrim senior hurling team manager Davy Fitzgerald. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Antrim 2-25 Westmeath 1-19
By David Mohan at Corrigan Park
A munch improved Antrim banked their first points in 1B of the National Hurling League as they swept aside Westmeath at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
James McNaughton continued his fine start to 2025 as he led the way with 1-14 for the Saffrons as Davy Fitzgerald put last week's defeat to Dublin behind them.
There was a much more fluid look to Antrim and perhaps this wasn't unsurprising as Westmeath found their planned opener against Laois last week postponed, but although Seoirse Bulfin's men came up short, they kept pushing to the last with David WIlliams chipping in with a dozen points of his own.
Antrim were much quicker out of the traps with James McNaughton landing the first three scores - the first from play - to settle his side.
McNaughton would equal his 10-point haul against Dublin by the time this game had reached the break as he led the charge for Antrim early, but gradually Westmeath built into it with David Williams getting his team off the mark and Eoin Keys grabbing their first from play.
The hosts looked more dangerous up top and on 13 minutes, they were awarded a penalty as Conor Johnston chased down a lost cause and was fouled on his way to goal, but Westmeath goalkeeper Jack Gillen was equal to McNaughton's penalty.
Johnston would grab a point soon after as McNaughton and Williams began to have their own scoring duel, although a good burst from the hosts saw Eoghan Campbell, Seaan Elliott, Niall McKenna and Niall O'Connor also chipped in to help Antrim into a six-point lead.
But Westmeath remained in touch as Darragh Clinton and Mark Cunningham pointed, yet it was Mcnaughton with late frees to help Antrim into a 0-15 to 0-10 lead at the break.
The second half was something of a slow burner although Westmeath could well have made a dream start when Peter Clarke galloped away from the throw-in but dragged his shot wide.
However, the net did bulge 10 minutes later, but at the other end, as a Westmeath error was ruthlessly punished by McNaughton, who gathered, cut in and buried.
Williams continued to keep his side in the hunt with Darragh Clinton also chipping in but although they got to within six on a few occasions, they got no closer as Antrim gradually pulled further away.
Keelan Molloy found his range with a couple and the Dunloy man set up his clubmateNigell Elliott for Antrim's second goal in the 70th minute.
Westmeath goalkeeper cancelled this out from a 20-metre free almost immediately, but it was a mere consolation as Antrim collected their first points.
Scorers for Antrim: J McNaughton 1-14 (12fs), N Elliott 1-0, C Johnston, K Molloy, S Elliott, N O'Connor 0-2 each, N McKenna, E Campbell, J Maskey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Westmeath: D Williams 0-12 (10fs), G Gillen 1-0 (pen), D Clinton 0-3, P Clarke, E Keyes, R Greville, M Cunningham 0-1 each.
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Declan McCloskey; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Conall Bohill; Nigel Elliott, Niall O'Connor; Paul Boyle, Niall McKenna, Keelan Molloy; Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.
Subs: Joe Maskey for S Walsh (57), Ryan McCambridge for Niall McKenna (60), Eoin O'Neill for P Boyle (60), Joseph McLaughlin for P Burke (65), Ryan McGarry for C Bohill (70+1)
Westmeath: Jack Gillen; Conor Gaffney, Tommy Doyle, Gary Greville; Johnny Bermingham, Aaron Craig, Eoin Keyes; Éamon Cunene, Peter Clarke; Robbie Greville, David Williams, Mark Cunningham; Darragh Clinton, Owen McCabe, Shane Williams.
Subs: Darragh McCormack for S Williams (43), Rory Keyes for E Cunneen (45), Matthew Cunningham for G Greville (58), Adam Ennis for A Craig (66).
Referee: Brian Keon (Galway).
