2023 Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A – Cork 2-21 Westmeath 0-21

Cork defeated Westmeath by 2-21 to 0-21 in Round 3 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A on Sunday February 26th at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork.

REPORT: First-half goals from Shane Kingston and Shane Barrett set @OfficialCorkGAA on their way to Allianz Hurling League victory over a battling @westmeath_gaa at Páirc Uí Chaoimh today. #GAABelong #AllianzLeagues

— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 26, 2023

Allianz HL D1: Cork prevail against spirited Westmeath

Cork 2-21 Westmeath 0-21

Report by GAA.ie

First-half goals from Shane Kingston and Shane Barrett set Cork on their way to victory over Westmeath at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

However, while the Rebels are now within touching distance of a semi-final spot after picking up a third straight win, they didn’t have things all their own way against the Lake County. A seven-point half-time lead for Cork was extended to nine early in the second half but a spirited response from the visitors saw them come to within five points on two occasions. Unfortunately for them, the third consecutive loss leaves them bottom of the Division 1 Group A table.

Cork led throughout, with Kingston opening the scoring in third minute with his goal, set up by a good Tommy O’Connell pass. Though former Galway man Davy Glennon replied with Westmeath’s first point, six points on the trot for the Rebels – with debutant Ben Cunningham, Brian Hayes and Conor Cahalane all on target – put them firmly in control.

Even though Westmeath came back well as Killian Doyle proved accurate from dead balls, the second Cork goal, set up by Ethan Twomey and Hayes for Barrett to finish, made it 2-9 to 0-6 with eight minutes left until half-time.

A third goal might have resulted but Noel Conaty saved well from Kingston, however even though Westmeath reduced the deficit slightly before half-time, Cork were comfortable with a 2-11 to 0-10 interval lead.

That margin was extended further with points from Barrett and Kingston but Westmeath had five of the next six scores, all from Doyle, who brought his tally to 13 as the lead was reduced to five.

After Cahalane’s third point, Cork sub Pádraig Power had a good chance for another goal after Twomey picked him out but he didn’t make good enough contact and Conaty saved.

A superb sideline cut from Jack Galvin again brought Westmeath back to within five but they couldn’t reduce the arrears any further and suffered the lose of Doyle to injury.

The visitors never really looked like getting a goal and Cork were able to pick off late points to ensure that they stayed on top until the end.

Scorers for Cork: Shane Kingston 1-7 (0-6 frees), Shane Barrett 1-2, Conor Cahalane 0-3, Brian Hayes, Pádraig Power 0-2 each, Cormac O’Brien, Ethan Twomey, Cathal Cormack, Tommy O’Connell, Ben Cunningham 0-1 each.

Scorers for Westmeath: Killian Doyle 0-13 (0-11 frees), Jack Galvin (0-1 sideline), Ciarán Doyle (0-2 frees) 0-2 each, Davy Glennon, Shane McGovern, Darragh Clinton (0-1 free), Robbie Greville 0-1 each.

CORK: Patrick Collins; Eoin Roche, Niall O’Leary, Ger Millerick; Cormac O’Brien, Tommy O’Connell, Dáire O’Leary; Sam Quirke, Ethan Twomey; Ben Cunningham, Luke Meade, Conor Cahalane; Shane Kingston, Brian Hayes, Shane Barrett
Subs: Eoin Downey for Millerick (half-time), Cathal Cormack for Dáire O’Leary (45), Pádraig Power for Cunningham (49), Dáire Connery for Quirke (61), Colin Walsh for Barrett (67).

WESTMEATH: Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Tommy Doyle, Conor Shaw; Johnny Bermingham, Robbie Greville, Jack Galvin; Shane McGovern, Shane Clavin; Owen McCabe, Davy Glennon, Kevin Regan; Joseph Boyle, Killian Doyle, Peter Clarke
Subs: Eoin Keyes for Clarke (46), Darragh Clinton for Clavin (56), Adam Ennis for Shaw (61), Ciarán Doyle for Killian Doyle (61, injured), Gary Greville for Bermingham (70).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).

Ticket Information

On Sunday 26th February, Cork face Westmeath in Round 3 of the AHL at 1:45pm & Cork face Limerick in Round 4 of the AFL at 3:45pm in @PaircUiCha0imh.

Advance ticket sales only here https://t.co/J0yBwpxlsq or selected Centra and Supervalu stores.#sportsdirectireland #BorntoPlay pic.twitter.com/g4QFZoGNZF

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) February 23, 2023

Team News

The Cork Senior Hurling team to play Westmeath in Division 1 Group A Round 3 of the Allianz Hurling League has been announced https://t.co/nkIl3ny4eU#SportsDirectIreland #BorntoPlay @PaircUiCha0imh pic.twitter.com/w4ctDIItH8

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) February 23, 2023

CORK (AHL v Westmeath): P. Collins (Ballinhassig); S. O’Leary Hayes (Midleton), N. O’Leary (c, Castlelyons), E. Roche (Bride Rovers); C. O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), G. Millerick (Fr O’Neills), D. O’Leary (Watergrasshill); S. Quirke (Midleton), E. Twomey (St Finbarrs); B. Cunningham (do), L. Meade (Newcestown), C. Cahalane (St Finbarrs); S. Kingston (Douglas), B. Hayes (St Finbarrs), S. Barrett (Blarney)
Subs: G. Connolly (Blackrock), E. Downey (Glen Rovers), C. Cormack (Blackrock), T. O’Connell (Midleton), D. Connery (Na Piarsaigh), B. Roche (Bride Rovers), D. Flynn (Ballygiblin), D. Dalton (Fr O’Neills), C. Walsh (Kanturk), P. Power (Blarney), C. Beausang (Midleton).