Sport

Dolan returns as Glennon inspires Westmeath

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers: Westmeath  0-20, London 0-8 Westmeath put a poor first-half display behind them to record a comfortable…

Mon Jun 19 2006 - 01:00

All-Ireland SFC qualifiers: Westmeath  0-20, London 0-8 Westmeath put a poor first-half display behind them to record a comfortable victory over London at Cusack Park yesterday.

Denis Glennon, who went on to score 10 points (eight from play), was the only Westmeath forward to threaten the London defence in the first half, scoring all but one of his side's six points in the opening period.

Dessie Dolan made a surprise appearance for Westmeath as a late substitute. The forward, who underwent surgery on a groin injury last month and missed Westmeath's Leinster championship defeat to Offaly, was expected to be out of action for several more weeks.

London's preparations for this game were overshadowed by an off-the-field upheaval which led to the resignation of team manager Noel Dunning. He then returned to lead his side into battle against his native county.

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A spirited London failed to score from play in the first half, but were within a point at half-time, 0-6 to 0-5.

While Glennon was doing the bulk of the scoring at one end, London wing forward Barry Solan kept his side in touch with four first-half frees.

Westmeath went 0-11 to 0-5 clear within 10 minutes of the restart, Denis Glennon leading the way with two points.

Substitutes Alan Mangan, Joe Fallon and James Nugent added zest to a previously inept Westmeath attack and the scores began to flow. All three substitutes got on the scoresheet and there were also second-half scores from full forward Gary Dolan (two), midfielder David Duffy and centre back Michael Ennis.

London's first score from play came from Paddy McConigley in the 50th minute, although his shot looked wide.

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; D O'Donoghue, B Nannery, J Keane; D Heavin, M Ennis (0-1), G Glennon; D Duffy (0-1), D O'Shaughnessy; PJ Ward, D Healy (0-1), G Duffy; D Glennon (0-10, two frees), G Dolan (0-2), J Smyth. Subs: A Mangan (0-2) for Smyth (32 mins); J Fallon (0-1) for Ward (h-t); J Nugent (0-2) for G Duffy (h-t); F Boyle for O'Donoghue (61 mins); D Dolan for O'Shaughnessy (66 mins).

LONDON: B McBrearty; A McLernon; C Beirne, P Earley; P McGonigley (0-1), D McKenna, S Curran; E Brennan, P McDermott (0-1); P Quirke, J Murphy, B Solan (0-4, two frees); N Clinton (0-2, two frees), S McKenzie-Smith, W O'Sullivan. Subs: M Travers for O'Sullivan (56 mins); M Gill for Murphy (61 mins).

Referee: M Higgins (Fermanagh).