Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A

Clare 4-27 Westmeath 0-14

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park

Clare eased to their biggest victory under Brian Lohan as they brushed aside the disappointing challenge of Westmeath in their opening Allianz League Division 1 tie in Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday afternoon.

In front of an attendance of 3,523, the home side led from start to finish, with a brace of goals in each half mushrooming the final margin. The lethal Mark Rodgers raided for two opportunist goals in the space of six minutes just before half-time to ensure a 2-10 to 0-7 half-time cushion whole further strikes through Ian Galvin and substitute Aron Shanagher, both set up by debutante Jack Kirwan fleshed out the already commanding scoreline.

With 4-22 from play through 10 different scorers including long-awaited National League returns for Aidan McCarthy (0-10), Davy Conroy (0-5) and Seadna Morey (0-1), Lohan’s side will be satisfied with their first outing. On the flip side, Westmeath never reached the heights of last year’s Leinster Championship finish, with their expected obstinate challenge hindered by 14 wides over the course of the contest as the Doyle twins Killian (8) and Ciaran (2) accounted for ten of their 14 point total.

Four points from Aidan McCarthy lifted Clare 0-8 to 0-4 in front by the turn of the opening quarter, with Diarmuid Ryan’s crossfield delivery to Ian Galvin unleashing David Fitzgerald to pick out Rodgers from an acute angled finish for the opening goal in the 26th minute.

Sandwiched by points for the lively Conroy and David Fitzgerald, Rodgers shrugged off man-marker Darragh Egerton for a brilliant second in the 32nd minute to put nine between the sides by the break.

Amidst wintery conditions in Ennis, the hosts flexed their muscles on the restart, outscoring Westmeath by 1-9 to 0-2 in a crucial third quarter culminating in Ian Galvin’s 50th minute goal to the bottom right corner following good work from Aidan McCarthy and Jack Kirwan.

Parteen-Meelick’s Kirwan was one of three starting debutantes for Clare, with defensive duo Adam Hogan and Brandon O’Connell also impressive. More fresh faces and legs from the bench maintained Clare’s scoring superiority as Gearoid O’Grady got in on the scoring action while Kirwan drove at the heart of the Westmeath defence before unselfishly offloading to Aron Shanagher to finish to the net from close range in the 67th minute.

It would complete a comfortable 25 point opening victory, with only a six day turnaround until Brian Lohan’s side renew acquaintances with Limerick for an early Shannonside derby.

Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 0-10 (5fs), Mark Rodgers 2-2, Ian Galvin 1-3, Davy Conroy 0-5, David Fitzgerald 0-3, Aron Shanagher 1-0, Brandon O’Connell, Diarmuid Ryan, Gearoid O’Grady, and Seadna Morey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Westmeath: Killian Doyle 0-8 (4fs, 1’65), Ciaran Doyle 0-2, Joseph Boyle, Jack Galvin (s/l), Robbie Greville, and Davy Glennon 0-1 each.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Seadna Morey, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan, David McInerney, Brandon O’Connell; Cathal Malone, Jack Kirwan; David Fitzgerald, Davy Conroy, Peter Duggan; Aidan McCarthy, Mark Rodgers, Ian Galvin.

Subs: Gearoid O’Grady for Rodgers (48), Cian Nolan for Hogan (50), Cian Galvin for Ryan (55), Keith Smyth for Duggan (57), Aron Shanagher for Galvin (60).

Westmeath: Noel Conaty; Conor Shaw, Darragh Egerton, Tommy Doyle; Jack Galvin, Kevin Regan, Aaron Craig; Shane McGovern, Shane Clavin; Joseph Boyle, Niall O’Brien, Robbie Greville; Eoin McCabe, Killian Doyle, Davy Glennon.

Subs: Eoin Keyes for Clavin (HT), Ciaran Doyle for McCabe (46), Mark Cunningham for McGovern (52), Johnny Bermingham for Shaw (52), Jack Gillen for O’Brien (60).

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).