Gaelic Games

Conor Whelan scores hat-trick of goals in first 25 minutes as Galway hammer Westmeath

Henry Shefflin’s side far too strong with 13 players getting on the scoresheet in Mullingar

Galway's Declan McLoughlin scores Galway’s sixth goal despite the attempt of Johnny Bermingham of Westmeath to block during the Leinster SHC game at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar. Photograph: Tommy Grealy/Inpho

Sun May 7 2023 - 12:26

Westmeath 0-17 Galway 6-33

Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin praised his Galway charges for “going about their business very well” in a 34-point demolition of Westmeath in Mullingar on Saturday evening.

“It was a championship game with two points on offer and it was very important that we prepared properly for it,” the winning manager added. However, in truth, this was a no-contest from start to finish, with Joe Fortune’s depleted side outclassed in virtually every facet of the game.

In this regard, Fortune said: “The lads who put on Westmeath jerseys are very proud to do so, but it is very difficult when we are missing the calibre of player that we are.” Their main absentee was All Star nominee and top scorer in recent years, Killian Doyle.

Galway settled quickly and they were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead after 13 minutes, the first three points coming from Evan Niland (including two frees). On the quarter-hour mark, Conor Whelan scored his first goal and the floodgates opened.

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Six minutes later, Whelan doubled his goal haul, with goalkeeper Noel Conaty unlucky not to keep his low shot out. Westmeath responded with what proved to be their only two points from play in the half, courtesy of former Galway player Davy Glennon and Joey Boyle.

Great approach play by Liam Collins and Kevin Cooney teed up Whelan for his third goal in the 25th minute. Four minutes later, Brian Concannon rifled an unstoppable shot to the roof of the Lake County net. Some quality Galway points ensued and they led by 4-16 to 0-7 at the break.

Hat-trick hero Whelan was replaced at half-time, but the Tribesmen’s fifth goal still arrived less than three minutes after play resumed, Kevin Cooney the man on target on this occasion. Impressive sub Declan McLoughlin raised the winners’ sixth green flag in the 64th minute after producing a great catch. Overall, Galway had 13 different scorers in what was a very facile win.

Shefflin was aware that tougher challenges lie ahead when he stated: “We made a couple of changes and that brought energy to the team. It was good to get the goals and to be threatening for goals throughout. We played with a good tempo and a good speed. Competition in the squad is good.”

For his part, Fortune conceded: “I thought we were poor in the first half and stood off Galway. Our second half was a bit better. We are fighting on the flat of our back to stay in the Liam MacCarthy Cup. We have a week’s break now and we need it, psychologically and physically.”

WESTMEATH: N Conaty; A Craig, C Shaw, J Bermingham; T Doyle, R Greville (0-1), C McCormack; G Greville (0-1), C Boyle; K Regan, N O’Brien (0-10, nine frees), J Boyle (0-1); D Williams, D Glennon (0-2), E Keyes.

Subs: S McGovern for Craig (h-t), D McNicholas (0-1) for Williams, C Doyle (0-1) for Regan (both 46 mins), D Clinton for Boyle (55), P Clarke for Keyes (69).

GALWAY: E Murphy; D Morrissey, G McInerney, TJ Brennan; P Mannion (0-1), D Burke (0-2), F Burke; C Fahy (0-1), J Cooney; B Concannon (1-3), C Mannion (0-4), C Whelan (3-1); E Niland (0-10, six frees, one 65), K Cooney (1-2), L Collins (0-4).

Subs: D McLoughlin (1-2) for Whelan (h-t), S Linnane (0-1) for J Cooney, E Lawless for D Burke (both 43 mins), J Ryan (0-1) for Concannon (53), M McManus (0-1) for Collins (61).

Referee: K Jordan (Tipperary).

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