National Hurling League Division 1A: Clare 4-27 – Westmeath 0-14
Brian Lohan’s charges have got their 2023 Allianz National Hurling League campaign off to the perfect start following a commanding victory over Westmeath in Cusack Park this afternoon.
Aidan McCarthy and late introduction to the side Brandon O’Connell were first to fire over, giving Clare a two point lead inside as many minutes and setting the tone for the events to come.
David Conroy, David Fitzgerald and Ian Galvin would also add to the scoring spread in the opening period, however it was Scariff man Mark Rodgers who would take the plaudits, rattling the back of the Westmeath net with two superb goals in a devastating six minute spell shortly before half-time.
Killian Doyle, Joey Boyle and Darragh Egerton led the charge for the lake county, however Westmeath failed to make the most of their possession, scoring just once from play in the first half as Clare enjoyed a 2-10 to 0-06 advantage at the interval.
The Banner had no intention of letting up and kept the the scoreboard ticking over throughout the second half, with Gearóid O’Grady pointing on his league debut.
However it was goals from Ian Galvin and Aaron Shanagher on that would firmly place the result beyond all doubt, as it finished in Cusack Park on a full time score of Clare 4-27 to Westmeath 0-14.
Clare can now look ahead to a short trip to the TUS Gaelic Grounds where they will take on All-Ireland Champions Limerick on Saturday, February 11th.
