Kildare produce huge display to beat Westmeath for first ever Joe McDonagh Cup win

Kildare 3-24

Westmeath 2-21

The Kildare hurlers produced an exceptional display to beat Westmeath in their Joe McDonagh Cup Round 2 clash. Kildare started this game like a house on fire and led by 2-7 to 0-4 after 10 minutes.

Despite a late first-half goal concession, The Lilies led by seven points at 2-16 to 1-12 at the break.

Westmeath came roaring back into this game however and The Lilywhites in attendance were having nightmares of a week ago and squandering another hefty advantage.

After momentum was all for the visiting side, Westmeath levelled in the 65th minute through David Williams and the watching population in Newbridge remained on a knife's edge.

Kildare, to their immense credit, responded superbly and led again soon after through Cian Boran. A close-range free from Jack Sheridan was followed by an excellent James Burke score from play to restore a three-point lead.

Westmeath fired back, but Kildare held strong and, after another Sheridan free was brought forward into tap-over range, James Burke capped a thrilling game with a goal to end this fixture and secure Kildare's first Joe McDonagh Cup win.

Kildare, Jack Sheridan 1-3 (0-3 frees), Gerry Keegan 0-5, David Qualter 0-5 (0-2 frees), James Burke 1-2, Darragh Melville 1-0, Paul Dolan 0-3, Cian Boran 0-3, Cathal McCabe 0-1, Daniel O'Meara 0-1, Cathal Dowling 0-1.

Westmeath, Killian Doyle 0-10 (0-9 frees, 0-1 65'), David Williams 1-4, Niall O'Brien 0-5, Peter Clarke 1-0, David O'Reilly 0-1, Eoin McCabe 0-1.

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Daniel O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Simon Leacy, Cian Boran; Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; David Qualter, James Burke, Darragh Melville; Jack Sheridan, Cathal Dowling, Gerry Keegan. Subs: Richy Hogan for Liam O'Reilly (35 minutes), Muiris Curtin for Darragh Melville (49 minutes), Jack Travers for Paul Dolan (56 minutes), Conn Kehoe for Cathal Dowling (60 minutes), Jack Higgins for David Qualter (71 minutes).

WESTMEATH: Ciarán O'Brien; Conor Gaffney, Tommy Doyle, Gary Greville; Aaron Craig, Owen Keyes, Darragh McCormack; Davy Glennon, Éamon Cunneen; Joseph Boyle, Killian Doyle, Peter Clarke; David O'Reilly, Niall O'Brien, David Williams. Subs: Mark Cunningham for Joseph Boyle (Half-time), Eoin McCabe for Éamon Cunneen (46 minutes), Niall Mitchell for Davy Glennon (57 minutes).

Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)

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