Westmeath captain Alan McGrath accepts the Leinster U21 A HC trophy from Leinster Council Chairman Martin Skelly
Leinster U21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship:
Westmeath 2-17, Meath 1-18
Westmeath came from four points down in the first period of extra-time to defeat neighbours Meath in a thrilling Leinster U21 ‘A’ HC final at Trim last night.
Having received a bye into the final, the visitors scored 1-3 without reply in the last eight minutes to deny the Royals victory. Cormac Boyle was Westmeath’s match-winner, accounting for 1-1 of that tally.
A goal from Barry O’Meara had handed Westmeath the early initiative before Meath fought back to go into the break on level terms, 0-9 to 1-6. The Lake County regained the lead in the second half, only for Meath’s top scorer Keith Keoghan to send the game to extra-time with an injury-time free (1-13 to 0-16).
When full forward Anthony Healy netted to give the Royals the lead for the first time at the end of the first period Westmeath looked to be in trouble, but Boyle’s heroics ensured them of victory.
Kiltale were ably represented by team captain Shane McGann in goal and Willy Mahady at centre-back, as well as Padraig Kelly who did not feature in the match, but sadly the home side were on the wrong side of the scoreline after an extra-time thriller.
Scorers
Westmeath: B O’Meara 1-6 (0-6f), C Boyle 1-4, A Clarke 0-5 (2f, 1 ’65’), C Murphy, S Boylan 0-1 each. Meath: K Keoghan 0-8f, A Healy 1-3, D Doran 0-4, E Marsh, C Fitzsimons, A Gannon 0-1 each.
Westmeath: S McGovern; P Laide, A McGrath, C Scally; S Fagan, J Gilligan, A Fitzsimons; J Clarke, A Clarke; M Heffernan, C Boyle, N Dowdall; C Murphy, S Boylan, B O’Meara. Subs: C Murtagh for J Clarke (46), K Martin for A Clarke (e-t).
Meath: S McGann (captain); G Murphy, E Lynch, R Hatton; S Brennan, W Mahady, C O’Shea; F Doran, E Marsh; C Fitzsimons, G Kelly, K Keoghan; D Doran, A Healy, D Maguire. Subs: T Raleigh for F Doran (35), M Doyle for Fitzsimons (37).
Ref: G McGraith (Dublin).