NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION TWO FINAL/Westmeath 2-12 Carlow 0-12:BRENDAN MURTAGH inspired Westmeath to a well -deserved victory over Carlow and the Division Two hurling title at Limerick yesterday.
Murtagh scored seven of his side's points, including three from frees, as Westmeath added this trophy to the Christy Ring Cup which they won last August.
Westmeath, who recovered from a shock defeat by Mayo earlier in the competition, got off to a flying start and led by 0-6 to 0-1 at one stage.
But Carlow, who were unbeaten in the league before yesterday's game, improved greatly in the second quarter and managed to draw level after 27 minutes following a succession of points.
Murtagh steadied the Westmeath ship with a point from a free and then came the opening goal of the game.
Two Carlow defenders seemed to get mixed up in their calls as John Shaw raced through to hit a rasping shot past Mark Ryan. A point by Paddy Dowdall left Westmeath in front by 1-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
A second goal in the first minute of the second half by Derek McNicholas - following good work by Enda Loughlin - consolidated Westmeath's advantage and from there to the end there was only going to be one winner.
Carlow scored the last three points, one from a deflected penalty, but the issue was never in doubt and Westmeath ran out deserving and comfortable winners.
WESTMEATH: M Briody; G Gavin, P Greville, C Jordan; D Curley, D McCormack, A Price; P Clarke, B Connaughton; P Dowdall (0-2), B Murtagh (0-7, three frees), E Loughlin (0-2); N Kilcoyne, J Shaw (1-0), D McNicholas (1-1). Subs: B. Kennedy for Kilcoyne, (26 mins), L Smith for Clarke (34 mins), A Mitchell for McNicholas (56 mins), J Clarke for Loughlin ( 70 mins).
CARLOW: Mark Ryan; A Gaul, Ml Ryan, J Rodgers; E Coady, S Kavanagh (0-1), R Coady; J Hickey, D Roberts (0-2); P Kehoe (0-1), R Foley, M Brennan (0-1); R Dunbar (0-3, one pen, one free), S Murphy, B Lawler (0-3, three frees). Subs: K English (0-1) for Lawlor (47 mins), J Waters for Murphy.
Referee: D Kirwan, Cork.
