Westmeath v Galway

[GalwayBayBoy]

Late rally sees Galway take Westmeath
Sunday, 25 March 2007 23:39
Galway moved up to third in the Allianz NFL Division 1B table as they produced a late rally to see off Westmeath 1-13 to 0-10 in Mullingar this afternoon.

Westmeath were left reeling when the visitors scored 1-05 without reply, including a 62nd-minute goal from substitute Matthew Clancy, to secure their third league win.

Westmeath overcame a sluggish start with points from Dessie Dolan and David O'Shaughnessy.

Galway led 0-05 to 0-04 at the break but scores from Fergal Wilson (0-02), John Connellan, Dolan (0-02) and Michael Ennis had the hosts 0-10 to 0-08 ahead.

However, Clancy's goal and points from Padraig Joyce (0-03), Derek Savage and Nicky Joyce saw Galway come good at the end.

Peter Ford's visitors laid the foundations for this win at Cusack Park in the opening quarter-hour as they struck three points without reply. Padraig Joyce landed a seventh-minute free, while both Nicky Joyce and Ja Fallon pointed from play.

Galway could and perhaps should have been further ahead at that stage. The Joyce cousins missed two good goalscoring chances - Nicky slammed a shot off the crossbar, while Padraig lost his footing as he looked set to trouble Gary Connaughton from ten yards out.

Westmeath hit four wides in the opening 18 minutes and finally got off the mark on the quarter-hour when Dolan landed a free.

The Garrycastle ace kicked three points in the opening half, with returning midfielder O'Shaughnessy, who was making his first start since last August's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat to Dublin, proving to be Westmeath's only other scorer.

John Smith did force Galway stopper Paul Doherty into a good save, while the Tribesmen completed their first half tally with points from Padraig Joyce and Joe Bergin, who launched over a stunning right-footed kick from wide out on the left flank.

Galway's hopes were hit when midfielder Barry Cullinane limped off with an injury before the interval and Westmeath had a sudden lead when, on the resumption, Wilson and substitute Connellan both disected the posts.

Savage and Dolan exchanged points, Wilson launched over his second score before a Padraig Joyce free and a fisted effort from Bergin brought Galway back on terms.

Westmeath showed few signs of wilting as Dolan and corner-back Michael Ennis, who drew raucous cheers by charging upfield and scoring, both rapped over points for a 0-10 to 0-08 score line.

But the closing 15 minutes belonged to Galway and their lively attack. Padraig and Nicky Joyce quickly levelled the game before Clancy, who was sporting a beard, collected a pass from Bergin and beat Connaughton with a measured goal finish.

Another point from Savage and a late brace from Padraig Joyce stretched Galway six points clear, leaving Ford's men finally out of sight.