Gaelic Games

Heslin frees and Glennon shooting put Westmeath in charge

Kildare without a win after three league games

Denis Glennon: scored three points from play
Denis Glennon: scored three points from play
Sun Mar 01 2015 - 18:34

Westmeath 0-15

Kildare 0-12

Westmeath inflicted Kildare’s third successive defeat of the league as they secured their first win in Division Two. Six pointed frees from John Heslin and three points from Denis Glennon proved crucial as the visitors outclassed their hosts in Newbridge.

“Gary [Connaughton] came to me after and he said he’d never ever in all his career beaten Kildare in a league match. Jesus I couldn’t believe that,” said Westmeath manager Tom Cribbin. “It’s no wonder they battled so hard,” he added, delighted with his men after an impressive display.

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Leading by 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time after a dominant first-half display, the visitors closed out the game in style with three late points to keep the home side at bay. Connaughton, who is also a selector, was instrumental for the winners with a string of fine saves.

Kildare were second best for most of the game, although they got back within a point seven minutes before the end. After a nervous third quarter, Westmeath regained their composure in the closing stages. Glennon kicked three invaluable points from play while the impressive Lorcan Smyth sealed his side’s victory with his second point in the 68th minute.

Kildare manager Jason Ryan now faces an uphill task as his team battle to avoid relegation. Their third successive defeat of the campaign leaves Ryan desperate for points with three away fixtures to come, beginning against Cavan next Saturday. “Yeah, the pressure is on for Cavan and for the following games against Roscommon and against Laois and Galway. It doesn’t get any easier,” said Ryan.

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; M McCallon, K Maguire, K Daly; J Gonoud, K Martin (0-1), P Holloway; J Heslin (0-6, frees), P Sharry (0-1); C McCormack, G Egan (0-1), R Connellan; L Smyth (0-2), D Daly, D Glennon (0-3). Subs: D Lynch for Holloway, 51; S Dempsey (0-1) for McCormack, 52; D McCormack for Connellan, 60; J Egan for D Daly, 70.

KILDARE: M Donnellan; M O'Grady, C Fitzpatrick, O Lyons; K Cribbin, F Conway (0-1), E Doyle; H Lynch, P O'Neill (0-1); P Cribbin (0-1), E Callaghan, E O'Flaherty (0-5, 3 frees); D Mulhall (0-1, free), F Dowling (0-1), T O'Connor. Subs: P Fogarty (0-1) for Mulhall, 46; A Smith for O'Connor, 61; G White for Lynch, 61; E Bolton for Doyle, 64; D Flynn (0-1) for O'Neill, 70.

Referee: P O'Sullivan (Kerry).