Westmeath 1-12 Kildare 1-4: It was a case of two counties in different stages of preparation at Cusack Park yesterday. Westmeath improved on last week's stuttering display against Louth to run out commanding winners in front of yet another large attendance.It was a case of two counties in different stages of preparation at Cusack Park yesterday. Westmeath improved on last week's stuttering display against Louth to run out commanding winners in front of yet another large attendance. Gavin Cummiskey reports.
The turnout of 4,358 was remarkable in the conditions; the excitement generated by Páidí Ó Sé's arrival continues to grow.
Next week they host Dublin's conquerors, Carlow, in the O'Byrne Cup semi-final with Ó Sé seeking his third competitive victory from as many outings.
"Every week I am getting to know them a little bit better. So far so good. But if you look at today's programme you will see that an awful lot of teams that have won the O'Byrne Cup don't be featuring in championships," said Ó Sé.
"At the same time it's great to be winning matches. It's a good habit to get them into. We're happy that we won, and we're happy for the extra game next Sunday."
From a Kildare perspective the season only really begins now. They had to make do without their powerful midfield axis of Killian Brennan (groin injury) and Dermot Earley (playing for NUIG). These two are also the captain and vice-captain, and their loss left a gaping hole in the midfield, which Rory O'Connell exploited repeatedly.
Also, Pádraig Nolan's squad head for sunnier climes, Lanzarote, next Thursday so it's not surprising if they were put off by the dark sky and sheeting rain that greeted them in Mullingar.
Initially, their deep defensive patterns were impressive but Joe Fallon, taking up where he left off last week, registered three points to help Westmeath into a 0-6 to 1-1 half-time lead.
It should have been greater but John Doyle's weak shot slipped through the grasp of goalkeeper Aidan Lennon down the other end. Also, Kildare's All-Star goalkeeper Enda Murphy made two fine saves, from James Conroy and Paul Conway.
New recruit Denis Glennon caught the eye at corner-forward - it's early days yet but Páidí may have found himself the midlands' answer to Colm "Gooch" Cooper - while Damien Gavin was solid at full back.
Despite the pluses, Ó Sé is aware much work still needs to be done.
"We feel we have a huge amount of work to do with our forward line if we're to be a force in the league and championship but, again, I'll emphasise that there is no substitute for an extra game before we play Cork in our opening (league) match on the 31st of January," he said.
In his first competitive start for Kildare, Morgan O'Sullivan impressed with two second-half points and some dangerous running from deep. But sandwiched between his scores were four Westmeath strikes that left it 0-10 to 1-3 with a quarter of the match remaining.
After a quiet opening half Alan Mangan and Fergal Wilson got among the scores as the keener side dominated possession and territory.
Kildare were finally buried in the 54th minute when substitute Shane Colleary played a clever lofted pass into the arms of the onrushing Derek Heavin, who found a chink in Murphy's armour to make it 1-10 to 1-3.
Kildare did threaten a late revival but Lennon made up for his earlier error with a fine reflex save from Terry Rossiter.
Near the end, TG4's reality show Underdogs was given relevance after all as a member of the panel, Robbie Hannon, was introduced by Nolan.
WESTMEATH: A Lennon; J Davitt, D Gavin, F Murray; T Stuart-Trainor, D Kilmartin, D Heavin (1-0); R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; F Wilson (0-2, 1f), P Conway, A Mangan (0-2); J Fallon (0-3, 2f), J Conroy, D Glennon (0-3, 2f). Subs: S Colleary (0-1) for J Conroy (18 mins), M Ennis (0-1) for J Fallon (half-time), JP Casey for D Glennon (58 mins), F Dardis for P Conway (65 mins).
KILDARE: E Murphy; R McCabe, E Fitzpatrick, A McLoughlin; E Callaghan, D Hendy, K Ennis; A Barry, R Sweeney; D McCormack, M O'Sullivan (0-2), J Doyle (1-1, 1f); T Rossiter, K Donnelly (0-1), B Moyles. Subs: P Hurley for A Barry (48 mins), T Fennin for K Ennis, D Lyons for B Moyles (both 56 mins), C Clarke for A McLoughlin (66 mins), R Hannon for E O'Callaghan (68 mins).
Referee: T Quigley (Wexford).
