Westmeath GAA

Either they couldn't or wouldn't track the Westmeath runners. It happened time and time again. The pattern of the game was Westmeath goalie Jason Daly popped a ...

That tells a story about the pressure on the shooter. The pattern of the game was Westmeath goalie Jason Daly popped a quick kickout to a back, who was in acres of space under no pressure. Offaly were shockingly poor in the first half and played like a squad who couldn't wait to get off on their holidays or back to their clubs.

Westmeath cruised into a Tailteann Cup final with an emphatic win over Offaly in the second semi-final in Croke Park.

Cavan will contest the inaugural Tailteann Cup final but they had to earn that right by seeing off a persistent Sligo in Croke Park. Cavan will contest the inaugural Tailteann Cup final but they had to earn that right by seeing off a persistent Sligo in Croke Park. Westmeath cruised into a Tailteann Cup final with an emphatic win over Offaly in the second semi-final in Croke Park.

Westmeath will meet Cavan in the Tailteann Cup final, after a dominant 3-22 to 2-16 victory over Offaly.

A stunning top-corner strike from Offaly sub Cathal Flynn in the 61st minute was already chalked down as a consolation score. A string of Niall McNamee frees were not enough to keep John Maughan's team in the hunt. Two Anton Sullivan points before the break ensured Offaly had some faint hope, but Westmeath were full value for their 2-11 to 1-6 half-time lead. Nigel Harte for James Dolan (69) Offaly needed another goal to make a game of it, but it was not forthcoming. Jack McEvoy for Ruairí McNamee (65) Cathal Flynn for Jack Bryant (52) James Lalor for Conor McNamee (ht) A Niall McNamee free made it 1-5 to 1-1, but Westmeath came again. The Lake County stormed into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead, and were dominating the contest. The Faithful County eventually scored in the 17th minute. Heslin could have added a third major.

A very impressive Westmeath coasted into the Tailteann Cup final with a convincing win over neighbours Offaly in Croke Park this afternoon.

Sub Cathal Flynn did get a superb 60th minute goal for them but with a 3-18 to 2-12 difference, it was only of cosmetic interest at that stage and Westmeath cruised into the final. 💻 https://t.co/6oQCE0HCoL… Both sides got four points each before the break and Westmeath had one foot in the final with that eight point half-time lead. Westmeath had nine wides in the first half and many of these should have been scores as they opened up Offaly time and time again with remarkable ease. 💻 https://t.co/6oQCE0HCoL… The victors played very well on the day, controlling the game from start to finish and never looked like being beaten for one second.

The Lake County not at all flattered by their nine-point winning margin in the second Tailteann Cup semi-final.

R Forde for Duncan (46), G Egan for Lynam (54), A Gardiner for L Dolan (63), K Martin for Loughlin (68), N Harte for J Dolan (68).R Forde for Duncan (46), G Egan for Lynam (54), A Gardiner for L Dolan (63), K Martin for Loughlin (68), N Harte for J Dolan (68). Skipper Johnny Moloney did his best to rally his troops but Westmeath never looked remotely like losing the game, and two of their late subs also scored well-taken points. Offaly replied with points from O’Neill and impressive sub Dylan Hyland (his second) before Jason Daly superbly denied Jordan Hayes a three-pointer in the 42nd minute at the expense of an unconverted ‘45’. Indeed, all of the losers’ subs impressed and made the scoresheet. Anton Sullivan was doing his utmost to keep Offaly in contention and he kicked two fine points from play. Offaly had the aid of a useful wind in the first half, but it was their northern neighbours who started much the brighter.

OFFALY were given a harsh dose of reality, loads of food for thought as their Tailteann Cup ambitions were ended by a very impressive Westmeath in Croke ...

Offaly really needed both of those goals and as it was Westmeath killed it off with an excellent 53rd minute goal from Lorcan Dolan to give them a 3-15 to 1-11 lead. They got three of the first four points and Jordan Hayes was unlucky not to goal in the 42nd minute when his shot was deflected out for a “45” by Jason Daly – Dylan Hyland had pointed when he could have put Hayes in moments earlier. Westmeath were full value for their 2-7 to 1-2 lead after 25 minutes and both sides swopped four points each to leave Westmeath with one foot in the final at the break. Offaly made a nightmare start as Westmeath tore into them from the throw in. They also should have had a third goal as John Heslin's 29th minute shot was only kept out as it hit team mate Luke Loughlin on the back – on the goal line. Their first half display was quite desperate really as Offaly were outplayed and out muscled for much of it.

Westmeath Division 3 Hurling League final: Castletown Geoghegan 1-19, Southern Gaels 2-11.

The Gaels’ only reply was a late Dowd free which was not enough to deny the black and ambers the Division 3 title, and the first club silverware of 2022. Indeed, Evan Farrell could have a goal, but at the short whistle Castletown led by 1-7 to 0-7 Meanwhile for the Gaels, it’s a matter of might-have-beens.