The Bank Of Ireland Celtic Challenge saw just one game occur in Group D this week as Westmeath made it two wins from three with a victory over Kildare Lilywhites.

Elsewhere, Meath’s clash with Carlow was postponed while Wicklow Blue were this week’s odd team out.

Read our round-up of all of this week’s action from Group D below

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Westmeath make it two wins from three as they overcome Kildare Lilywhites 

Westmeath 4-20

Kildare Lilywhites 0-5

Westmeath produced another fine display to see off Kildare Lilywhites in the fourth round of Group D in the Celtic Challenge competition.

Westmeath got off to a bright start and early scores from Eamon Cunneen, Michael Moffatt and Aaron Ready set the tone for the afternoon.

Kildare responded with some well-taken scores from their lively corner forward Evan O’Brien and the hard-working Daithí Martin.

The game was tenacious in nature and the work rate of both sides was a joy to watch with alot of hooking, blocking and good tackling evident.

Westmeath grabbed a foothold on this hard-fought encounter when corner forward Olly McClair pounced for the games opening goal in the 21st minute to put the Lake-men 1-5 to 0-2 to the good.

This was followed by well-worked scores from Cunneen and Moffatt again, Michael Cunningham, Warric Kirby and Oisín Murray.  Kildare finished out the half well and responded with two points of their own from Daithí Martin again. The half-time score was Westmeath 1-10 Kildare Lilywhites 0-4.

Westmeath powered into the second half and another well-taken goal by McClair left Westmeath in driving seat until the end.  Sub Brian McGrath found the net in the 56th minute to complete the goal scoring and this score was preceded by some excellent point taking from the Westmeath forwards and midfield.

The Westmeath defence, anchored by Michael Lynam and David Weir, were in fine form and produced a great collective effort to keep the Kildare men at bay.  David Weir collected the Best and Fairest Award after his outstanding contribution.

The scoreline did not reflect the game as a whole and it was competitive in nature for large parts with Westmeath being quite efficient in front of goal.

Both teams will look forward to the last round of games before the Quarter Finals start on Saturday 15th June.

Report by: Michael Lawler

Westmeath

Oisín Loughlin; Peter Dalton, Michael Lynam, Jamie Reilly; Donal Mulvihill, David Weir, Cian McCarthy; Warric Kirby, Mark Cunningham; Oisín Murray, Michael Moffatt, Eamon Cunneen; Oliver McClair, Mark Cully, Aaron Ready. Subs used: Ryan Boyne for McCarthy (45), Brian McGrath for Ready (47), Liam Maxwell for Cunneen (53), Luke Smith for Reilly (56).

Kildare Lilywhites

Cian Cullen; Cormac Byrne, Sean Hodgins, Jack McGovern; Michael Browne, Finn Tierney, Eamon Little; Padraig Cribben, Harry Whelan; Sam Murphy, Cormac Vizzard, Daithí Martin; Evan O’Brien, Jake Delmer, Fiachra Mooney. Subs used: Adam Delmer for Hodgins (inj., 2), Luke Redmond for McGovern (h-t), Daniel Maher for Mooney (h-t).

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