All-Ireland SFC: Galway advance to last eight

All-Ireland SFC Round 2A

Galway 3-21 Westmeath 2-21

By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium

On a weekend sprinkled with surprises, Galway left the sun in Salthill armed with a win and a direct pass into the All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Finals.

Westmeath travelled in great numbers to ensure a sell-out at Pearse Stadium and a late rally from the midlanders trimmed the deficit to two in the last minute.

From Connor Gleeson's booming kickout, substitute Damien Comer made an important fetch and Galway moved the ball forward for another replacement Shane McGrath to seal the deal with a fisted point.

Galway, prompted by the splendid Cian Hernon and Seán Kelly in defence, had controlled much of the contest before Westmeath launched a rally in the dying embers.

The gap was nine, 3-20 to 2-17, but a Jack Duncan goal either side of two pointers from Robbie Forde and Sam McCartan ensured Westmeath were back in the reckoning.

Galway, though, didn't panic with Comer illustrating his value when a Westmeath question was posed. A return to Croke Park in a fortnight beckons for Galway.

Initially, the home team seized control clipping a couple of goals in the first quarter. Fionn McDonagh released the crafty Shane Walsh to mine a seventh minute major.

With Paul Conroy, John Maher, and Céin D'Arcy relevant, Galway were dictating the agenda, adding an 11th minute goal courtesy of the excellent Hernon.

When D'Arcy pointed, Galway were 2-4 to 0-2 clear, but Westmeath remained spirited. Senan Baker pointed following a mark before the industrious Ronan Wallace struck a 20th minute goal.

For the rest of the first half both counties enjoyed bursts of scores with Westmeath trailing by four as the interval approached. Galway, though, concluded the opening period with a critical goal as Walsh's delivery was palmed to the net by Matthew Tierney.

That effort meant Galway were 3-9 to 1-8 ahead at the turnaround. When the action recommenced, Westmeath's challenge was being fended off by a seasoned Galway outfit, who led 3-16 to 1-14 in the 55th minute.

Kevin O'Sullivan, John Heslin (free), and McCartan pointed to bring Mark McHugh's lively team within five. Galway, though, summoned a reply as Conroy, McGrath, Walsh (free), and Daniel O'Flaherty registered points.

Galway were nine clear, but Westmeath did finish smartly. Duncan's goal brought hope. Galway, though, stayed cool, and Padraic Joyce's charges head for GAA headquarters heartened.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 1-4 (1f), Matthew Tierney 1-2, Paul Conroy 0-5 (1 2pt), Cian Hernon 1-0, Rob Finnerty 0-3, Céin D'Arcy and Shane McGrath 0-2 each, Kieran Molloy, Seán Kelly, and Daniel O'Flaherty 0-1 each.

Scorers for Westmeath: Ronan Wallace 1-2 (1 2pt), Sam McCartan (1 2pt) and John Heslin (4fs) 0-4 each, Jack Duncan 1-0, Robbie Forde (2pt), Brandon Kelly, Tadhg Baker, and Senan Baker (1m) 0-2 each, Ray Connellan, Brian Cooney, and Kevin O'Sullivan 0-1 each.

Galway: Connor Glesson; Jack Glynn, Cian Hernon, Liam Silke; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Seán Kelly; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Céin D'Arcy, Matthew Tierney, Cillian McDaid; Rob Finnerty, Fionn McDonagh, Shane Walsh.

Subs: Kieran Molloy for Kelly (5-10), Shane McGrath for McDonagh (24), Damien Comer for McDaid (50) Kieran Molloy for Daly (61), Daniel O'Flaherty for Finnerty (62), Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin (66)

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Daniel Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Conor Dillon; Tadhg Baker, Shane Allen, Sam McCartan; Brian Cooney, Ray Connellan; Kevin O'Sullivan, Matthew Whittaker, Ronan Wallace; Senan Baker, John Heslin, Brandon Kelly.

Subs: Shane Corcoran for S Baker (5-16), Harry Niall for Cooney (HT), Shane Ormsby for Connellan (39), Jack Duncan for Whittaker (48), Shane Corcoran for Kelly (61), Robbie Forde for Niall (65)

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).