Royals fall just short in Mullingar

Despite the defeat Johnny Greville can be pleased with the way his side performed on Sunday against Westmeath.

NHL Div 2

Westmeath 0-25

Meath 1-19

There will be mixed emotions in the Meath hurlers camp after they fell just short against Westmeath in the NHL Div 2 at Mullingar. Had Mark Leavy slotted a late ‘65’ instead of opting to go short to Mikey Cole, it would have reduced the gap back to one. Westmeath overturned possession and won themselves a free. Killian Doyle brought his personal tally to double figures and confirmed a fortuitous victory for the Lake County.

This was a brilliant performance from the Royals in defeat and that late costly error by Mark Leavy was a slight blotch on an otherwise excellent showing from the Dunderry man. His brother, Conor Leavy along with Daire Shine and Jarlath Ennis did really well in the full-back line considering Westmeath’s potent and talented full forward’s.

Through the middle, Meath excelled as Lorcan Byrne and Damien Healy wreaked havoc. Westmeath built up an early advantage but the Royals never let their opponents get too far ahead. From a performance perspective, Meath's worst spell came in the third quarter but in that period Gavin King slotted a penalty to keep the Royals in touch.

Johnny Greville will be very happy with the way his side finished out the contest as they outscored their neighbours in the last 20 minutes by 0-8 to 0-4. A key turning point happened in the 66th minute at which point Westmeath led by three. Mikey Cole’s shot on goal was well blocked down before Noah Conroy was harshly judged to have overcarried the ball. Doyle slotted the long-range free and extended the gap to four.

That four-point gap was the same margin that Westmeath led by after 12 minutes. Meath were relatively slow out of the blocks and sporadic points from Darren O’Higgins, Mark Leavy and Cathal Barron were the highlight of a slightly wasteful showing from the Royals in the early exchanges.

Meath began to settle into the contest and scores from Noah Conroy and Mikey Cole brought Greville’s side back to within two points. After 20 minutes Westmeath led by 0-9 to 0-7 and they restored their four-point advantage when Doyle rattled off two points in quick succession.

In the 25th minute Damien Healy had the ball in the back of the Westmeath net but a free out had already been awarded as Mikey Cole was judged to have fouled Conor McKeogh in the square.

In the 26th minute Peter Clarke appeared to have bundled the sliotar over the Meath goal line but the umpires were slow to award a major. Meath took advantage and played on much to the annoyance of the Westmeath wing-forward.

King slotted a brilliant long-range free but at the break, largely down to the influence of Doyle and David Williams, Westmeath led 0-15 to 0-10.

For 15 minutes after the restart, Westmeath held momentum well and they scored six points with relative ease. Meath’s hopes were kept alive when Byrne’s shot rebounded off the hurl of Westmeath’s netminder Sean Jackson and fell to Healy who was then fouled inside the large rectangle.

In Anthony Nash-esque style, King made the long journey from between his own sticks down to the other end of the pitch before he left Jackson with no chance with a sweet strike.

Meath’s strongest period was in the last 20 minutes as the likes of Byrne, O’Higgins and Cole started to take on their men and run at the Westmeath defence. Kevin O’Brien’s side consistently fouled Meath during this period and five of the Royal’s last eight scores were frees from the hurl of Mark Leavy.

Ultimately though, the referee’s decision to award Westmeath a soft foul when Meath had momentum coupled with Mark Leavy’s decision to go short with a late ‘65’ proved costly to the Royals. The final whistle confirmed Meath’s first loss of the NHL Div 2 campaign.

Westmeath - Sean Jackson; Shane Williams, Conor Shaw, Conor McKeogh; Jack Gillen (0-2), Johnny Bermingham, Rory Keyes; David Williams (0-3), Mark Cunningham; Eamonn Cunneen (0-2), Kevin Regan (0-1), Peter Clarke (0-1); Eoin Keyes (0-5), Killian Doyle (0-10 seven frees) Josh Coll (0-1). Subs - Andrew Shaw for Clarke 29m, Naoise McKenna for R Keyes 52m, Jack Kearney for Regan 54m, John Fry for Gillen 58m Dean Ennis for Coll 61m.

Meath - Gavin King (1-1 one free, 1-0 penalty); Conor Leavy, Daire Shine, Jarlath Ennis; Cathal Barron (0-1), Simon Ennis, Sean Geraghty; Eoin Donegan, Joey Cole; Noah Conroy (0-3), Lorcan Byrne (0-1), Mark Leavy (0-9 six frees); Mikey Cole (0-2), Damien Healy, Darren O’Higgins (0-1). Sean Doyle (0-1) for Barron 52m, Anthony Healy for Donegan 60m, Jack Walsh for D Healy 64m, Fergal Flynn for J Cole 68m.

Referee- Niall Malone (Clare).