Westmeath 2-16 Wicklow 0-5The scoreline says it all in this Division 2A game, with Westmeath in total control and running out decisive winners over Wicklow at Aughrim. Having been relegated last year, Westmeath came out fired up to make a quick return to Division One football, putting the home side on pressure from the outset.
John O'Leary's team, which included a big sprinkling of new, under-21 players, did not help their cause by spilling a lot of possession to their opponents. Westmeath posted their intent in the first seven minutes when they raced into a 1-4 lead, the goal on five minutes scored by centre-forward Martin Flanagan.
Wicklow were also struggling at midfield where Rory O'Connell and David O'Shaughnessy gave Westmeath territorial advantage, while full forwards Dessie Dolan and JP Casey - as well as Fergal Wilson - also caught the eye despite the fact Wicklow's corner-backs Alan Byrne and Clive Davis were two of the home side's best defenders.
Wicklow did not open their account until the 13th minute when Tommy Gill pointed two quick frees, but eight minutes later they were left with a mountain to climb after JP Casey rifled home Westmeath's second goal.
Trailing by 0-3 to 2-8 at the start of the second half, Wicklow's chances were blown away after just five minutes when forward Anthony Nolan was sent off on a straight red card for a deliberate foul on Fergal Wilson. Westmeath stretched their lead to 2-12 to 0-3 in the third quarter, Wicklow failing to score in that period.
WESTMEATH: A Lennon; D Healy, D Mitchell, K Henson; B Morley, D Gavin, D Heavin; R O'Connell (0-1), D O'Shaughnessy; F Wilson (0-3), M Flanagan (1-2), S Colleary (0-1); J P Casey (1-1), M Ennis (0-1), D Dolan (0-5). Subs: S Mitchell for O'Shaughnessy, D O'Donoghue (0-1) for Heavin, Alan Mangan for Casey, PJ Ward for Ennis, J Conroy (0-1) for Wilson.
WICKLOW: R Hollingsworth; A Byrne, B O'hAnnaidh, C Davis; V Quigley (0-1), J P Connolly, E O'Neill; D Dillon, B Sheehan; B Mernagh, G Jameson, T McKeon; T Gill (0-3), D McGillycuddy, A Nolan. Subs: P Dalton (0-1) for McGillycuddy, J Slattery for V Quigley, C Hyland for McKeon, S Cush for JP Connolly.
Referee: B Duff (Kildare)
