Conor Kehoe of Carlow in action against Robbie Greville of Westmeath during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B match between Carlow and Westmeath at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile.
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Westmeath 3-18 Carlow 3-15
By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park
A wonderful display from Westmeath’s Killian Doyle who scored 1-15, inspired Westmeath to victory in this National Hurling League Division 1B game at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday.
From the outset it was clear the experienced Doyle was on song as he fired over three points without reply. His goal direct from a free was badly defended by a lax Carlow defence but only he will know was his 30-metre strike intended for the top left-hand corner.
Carlow hit back with a three-pointer of their own as Marty Kavanagh raided down the left before firing home. The home side looked to be set to take control when Jake Doyle took a pass from Donagh Murphy and gave Westmeath goalkeeper, Jack Gillen, no chance.
Westmeath replied with David Williams netting from close range. Within minutes, the corner forward added his second as Carlow initially held out, but Williams first time shot helped the visitors take 3-8 to 2-7 lead at the interval.
Points were exchanged in the opening attacks of the second half. Carlow made their move for victory and when Kavanagh picked out Conor Kehoe and his fellow St Mullins clubman finished to the net.
Both sides probed for the win at this stage. Carlow went ahead with a great one-pointer from Murphy but still Westmeath had the answer.
They surged forward and two points from Doyle and another through Williams dwarfed a solitary effort for Carlow from Fiachra Fitzpatrick. The visitors had eased into a five-point lead with just over a minute to go.
Carlow tried to save the game with John Michael Nolan and Kavanagh (free) points. They created a half-goal chance with a route one effort into the Westmeath square but the visitors were not going to be denied.
Westmeath Scorers: K Doyle 1-15 (1-7fs 2-65s), D Williams 2-1, J Boyle, E Cunneen 0-1 each
Carlow Scorers: M Kavanagh 1-7 (6fs), C Kehoe 1-0, Jake Doyle 1-0, D Murphy 0-3, F O’Toole, J Nolan, F Fitzpatrick, J Treacy, JM Nolan 0-1 each
WESTMEATH: Jack Gillen; Conor Gaffney , Eoin Keyes , Gary Greville; Aaron Craig, Robbie Greville, Shane Williams; Davy Glennon, Eamon Cunneen; Joseph Boyle, Killian Doyle, Mark Cunningham; David O’Reilly, Niall O’Brien, David Williams. Subs: Peter Clarke for Cunningham (45), Darragh Clinton for Glennon (55),
CARLOW: Kyle Foley; Paul Doyle, Niall Bolger, Lorcan Doyle; Colm Beck, Kevin McDonald, Darragh Nolan; Jon Nolan Fiachra Fitzpatrick; Jake Doyle, Marty Kavanagh, Fiach O’Toole; Conor Kehoe, Jack Treacy, Donagh Murphy. Subs: John Michael Nolan for O’Toole (53), Ted Joyce for J Doyle (60), Eric English for Treacy (66), Chris Nolan for Murphy (72), Richie Coady for Fitzpatrick (72),
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
