Third time’s a charm as Westmeath see off Kerry

WESTMEATH ensured it was third time lucky as they atoned for Joe McDonagh cup final defeats in 2018 and 2019 with a 2-28 to 1-24 win over Kerry yesterday.

It is Kerry who now have to endure successive defeats in the final of this competition after losing out to Antrim in last year’s showpiece event.

In the end it was Westmeath’s greater firepower up front that led the way for their success as 10 different scorers found the target for the champions. Kerry for their part proved stubborn opposition but Shane

Conway was well shackled by Darragh Egerton and the Westmeath defence.

Kerry only led once in this game and that was when they got the first score on the board through Barry O’Mahony. The Westmeath attacking threat was highlighted by their first attack ending in a goal. Niall Mitchell broke on to possession before gathering and rifling an effort to the roof of John B O’Halloran’s net. The opening half saw 32 scores but Westmeath were always able to stay in front.

Kerry continued to plug away as Shane Conway also got four opening half scores but Westmeath always seemed to find a response when needed with captain Cormac Boyle lifting the trophy (left) to ensure they would be playing in hurling’s premier competition this season while Kerry suffer further final heartbreak.

Meanwhile, Jack Regan turned in an incredible display as Meath saw off Kildare 0-28 to 1-15 to ensure they’ll be playing Joe McDonagh Cup next year. Regan scored 17 points in a flawless display of shooting from all over the field.

He was the one that kept Meath in touch when Kildare were on top but as the game wore on. he scored some magnificent points to break Kildare’s spirit.

Any chance Kildare had of a late comeback disappeared when goalscorer Sheridan was shown a red card in the 60th minute.

After that, Meath comfortably saw the game out to relegate Kildare back down to Christy Ring level.