Heslin shines but victory takes its toll on Westmeath
AFTER finally winning the Leinster Championship battle with Offaly, Westmeath manager Tom Cribbin lamented injuries to three key players that could affect the war ahead for them.
John Heslin’s 1-6 haul and goals from Kieran Martin and John Egan were decisive in Mullingar where the hosts beat Offaly at the second attempt to secure a Leinster semifinal clash with Dublin next Sunday.
That will be a repeat of the last two Leinster finals and though Cribbin feels his group is stronger generally this year, he admitted that injuries to Paddy Holloway, Callum McCormack and Denis Glennon are a major issue.
Centre-back Holloway (knee) and McCormack (ankle) were replaced in the first half while veteran forward Denis Glennon lasted just 13 minutes as a substitute before injuring his ankle and hobbling off.
Asked if Westmeath are a better side now than when they faced Dublin in 2015 and 2016, Cribbin shrugged.
‘If I didn’t lose three of my key players today I’d say we’re 100 per cent a better side this year,’ he said. ‘We have a few very good young lads coming through as well and this will present them with opportunities to step up.’
Offaly trailed by just two points with 54 minutes on the clock but Egan’s goal at that stage put Westmeath in the clear and they added late majors through Heslin and Martin.
Offaly, who lost defender Cian Donoghue to a 63rd-minute dismissal, have an equally short turnaround as they return to action next Sunday against Cavan in the qualifiers.
The Faithful County played catchup throughout in front of 4,714 spectators and were only on level terms for a matter of moments early on at 0-2 apiece.
Heslin lined out at full-forward for Westmeath and was accompanied by three different markers over the 70 minutes or so.
He scored three first-half points, two from play, and won the 14th-minute free that he converted. He also laid on the final pass for a Paul Sharry point and booted four wides, indicating the amount of possessions he enjoyed in the opening half. Sharry stroked over two frees with the aiding wind and Westmeath led 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval. McCormack, a late addition to the team in place of Shane Dempsey, hit Westmeath’s first point and Frank Boyle spun over a beauty from distance after coming on for the injured Holloway. Westmeath drilled eight first-half wides though and were concerned that they may not have taken full advantage of the wind. Nigel Dunne and Niall Darby pointed from frees for Offaly and there were scores from play by Graham Guilfoyle, the excellent Peter Cunningham and Michael Brazil. Star attacker Niall McNamee made little impact for Offaly. He was held scoreless and replaced after 41 minutes. Offaly were at their best in the third quarter of the game when centre-back Cunningham inspired them with some long-range points.
Nigel Dunne and Conor McNamee were also on the mark as they capitalised on the wind at their backs.
Twice Offaly reduced their arrears to just two points but Westmeath always looked dangerous when they attacked at the town end of the ground.
Martin took on the responsibility in the 54th minute when he made a surging run down the right and played a ball across goals for Egan to palm in.
Offaly responded with three points but Westmeath put the game to bed with goals in quick succession from Heslin and Martin in the 68th and 69th minutes.
Heslin shrugged off James Lalor and finished well for his goal before playing the ball into Martin’s path to palm in their third goal shortly after.