Westerns outgun Gaels
WESTERNS were well tipped for a trouble-free path through this group and they more than lived up to expectations with a whopping 19-point win over Cuchulainn Gaels in the first match of a marathon triple-header at St Brigid’s Park on Sunday.
Inspired by county man Tommy Durnin, former Louth star Trevor Baylon and the excellent Conor Kerr, the me from Reaghstown made short work of Louth’s youngest club, charging into a 15-point halftime lead.
As it tured out that trio netted Westerns three first-half goals and the writing was on the wall for Gaels as early as the third minute when Durnin powered through the middle and after meeting little resistance, fired home the opening goal.
Westerns continued to punch holes in the Seasider’s defence as the half progressed and Baylon popped up with the second goal in the 13th minute.
The game was already over as a contest at that stage, but Westerns continued to pour forward and Kerr finished off a fine team move by rounding keeper Brendan O’Hagan and slotting to an empty net.
That third major helped Westerns to a 3-9 to 0-3 interval lead and they eased off the throttle considerably in the second period.
But they were still able to work a score more regularly than their opponents, who would always have been targeting their second game against Wolfe Tones to register an all-important victory that would take them to the knockout stages.
The Drogheda men are in good form, however, and they will be hoping to put up a better showing against Westerns on Friday night in Stabannon. BUT the smart money will be Durnin and co. to reach the quarter-finals as group winners.
WESTERNS: Peter Shiels; Colin Martin, Dylan Ogle, Andrew Murray; Seán McGuinness, Stephen Boylan, Michael Martin; Tommy Durnin 1-4, Terence Sweeney; Jack Ogle, Conor Kerr 1-1, Niall Moynagh 0-2 (1f); Ciarán Campbell 0-7 (4f), Trevor Baylon 1-3, Johnny Lynch. Subs: Patrick Kerley for Lynch, James Ward for Tommy Durnin, Andrew Kerr for Conor Kerr, Lorcan Donnelly for Jack Ogle, Damien Boylan for Sweeney Liam Hoey for Baylon
CUCHULAINN GAELS: Brendan O’Hagan; Brendan McKeown, Martin Hayes, Peter Morgan; Seamus McCabe, John Morgan, Martin Ward; Francis O’Hagan, Micheál McCabe (0-2); Jordan Loye, Cian McDonald (0-1), Jody Keenan (0-4, frees); Eoin McDonald, Gavin Mullen, Brendan Caldwell.Subs: James Ward for Loye, Calum Fearon for Caldwell, Paddy O’Hanlon for Mullen.
REFEREE: Ultan McElroy.