Armagh ease past Westmeath in All-Ireland opener

Armagh produced a ruthless second half display to see off Westmeath

Armagh responded to their heartbreaking Ulster final defeat with a five-point win over Westmeath in their All-Ireland Series group opener at the Athletic Grounds.

Just as it was when these same two teams met last year, Westmeath didn’t allow Armagh to pull too far ahead in the first half, which was tit-for-tat in terms of scoring.

The Orchard County were much improved in the second half however, as they claimed a 0-16 to 0-11 victory.

Sam McCartan scored his side’s first two points, with Conor Turbitt nailing a free in between, before Armagh converted three points in quick succession.

Fisted points from Stefan Campbell and Tiernan Kelly were followed by a Conor O’Neill point, but minutes later he had to be withdrawn on a stretcher with what appears to be a serious knee injury.

Westmeath scored back-to-back superb points via Ronan O’Toole and Robbie Forde, but Armagh had responses via Ciaran Mackin and Rory Grugan – two players who were outstanding for the victors across the 70 minutes of action.

In first half stoppage time Westmeath scored twice more via a monstrous free from John Heslin and a second from Ronan O’Toole, but Armagh led at the break following a free from Turbitt.

O'Neill was stretchered off in the first half with a serious injury

The winning of the game came in its third quarter, as Armagh outscored their opponents 0-5 to 0-0.

Following a fairly pedestrian first half display, Kieran McGeeeny’s came out for the second half showing much more pace, drive and urgency.

After two wides in the first half, Oisin Conaty found his range after the break with two superb scores, either side of a rare right-footed score from Grugan.

Andrew Murnin added his first of the day to push the lead out to five, before a Grugan free made it six.

With 20 minutes gone in the second half, Westmeath finally had their first score – via Kevin Maguire, but they seemed to lack ideas on how to penetrate through Armagh’s resolute defence during the second period.

As he did against Down and Donegal, Aidan Nugent made his mark from the bench with two points to help Armagh coast to victory down the stretch.

Both sides had a late goal chance apiece, but Conaty was denied by Jason Daly in a one-on-one, before Blaine Hughes tipped a low Stephen Smith shot past the post in the last minute of normal time.