Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship

OFFALY 1-23 WESTMEATH 0-9

By Conor McKenna at TEG Cusack Park

Offaly claimed victory in their opening game of the Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship as Gary Cahill’s side eased to a 17 point victory at the expense of Westmeath.

Westmeath were outclassed on this occasion, as Offaly tore them apart and the visitors were very impressive throughout the match.

This result is a welcome boost for hurling in Offaly, as their seniors are struggling in the Joe McDonagh Cup, having suffered defeat in their first two games, although Westmeath will be very disappointed with their performance on the day.

Cathal Kiely was very impressive on this occasion, scoring 0-9 across the game and the Offaly midfielders controlled the middle of the park.

Westmeath may have expected to be a bit more competitive, as Offaly were by far the better team and could have won by more than 17 points.

Offaly will face Carlow in their next game and they will be confident of victory in that game, if they can replicate this performance.

It was the home side who opened the scoring through corner forward Jordan Smyth, before Conor Langton leveled proceedings.

Offaly added the next four points to give themselves an early lead, before Conor McKeogh responded for the Lake County. The score of the game was a fabulous sideline cut from Offaly midfielder David Nally in the 19th minute.

The outcome of this tie was never in doubt from the beginning and five consecutive Offaly points before the interval, gave the Faithful a 0-15 to 0-4 half time lead.

Cathal Kiely added a point after the break to give his side a 12 point advantage and Westmeath were only playing for pride at this juncture.

The games only goal arrived in the 51st minute, which came courtesy of Offaly substitute Cillian Ryan, who found the net, after a short range free from Kiely.

Offaly pushed on for a comfortable 17 point victory after the goal which was fully deserved, although tougher tasks await the victors in the following rounds.

Scorers for Offaly: Cathal Kiely 0-9 (6fs), David Nally 0-5 (1f, 1 65, 1 sideline), Cillian Ryan 1-0, Conor Langton 0-2, John Murphy 0-2, Cillian Sampson 0-1, Joey Keenaghan 0-1, Barry Kealey 0-1, Ciaran Doyle 0-1, Brian Duignan 0-1.

Scorers for Westmeath: Jack Gillen 0-3 (3fs), Jordan Smyth 0-2, Conor McKeogh 0-1, Ciaran O’Brien 0-1, Eoghan Ahearn 0-1, Eoin Daly 0-1

OFFALY: Eamonn Cleary; Ryan Hogan, Ross Ravenhill, Sean Beatty; Ciaran Burke, Conor Butler, Ciaran Doyle; David Nally, Cillian Sampson; Conor Quinn, Barry Kealey, John Murphy; Cathal Kiely, Conor Langton, Joey Keenaghan.

Subs: Cillian Ryan for Barry Kealey (17, B/S), Barry Kealey for Cillian Ryan (18, B/S reversal), Brian Duignan for Conor Quinn (41), Dara Maher for Ryan Hogan (48), Cillian Ryan for Barry Kealey (48), Conor Lowry for Joey Keenaghan (56), Ross Connaughton for Sean Beatty (56).

WESTMEATH: Brian McHugh; Liam Moran, Mickey McGrath, Leon Broderick; Ciaran Nolan, Adam Ennis, Fiachra Heeney; Sean Dowd, Josh Coll; Conor McKeogh, Jack Gillen, Charles Flynn; Eoghan Ahearn, Ciaran O’Brien, Jordan Smyth.

Subs: Darragh Core for Sean Dowd (22), Oisin Dowdall for Fiachra Heeney (h-t), Eanna Burke for Charles Flynn (h-t), Eoin Daly for Jack Gillen (48), Joe Moran for Josh Coll (48).

REFEREE: Sean Stack (Dublin)