Tom Ryan's dream of guiding Westmeath to a National Hurling League Division 2 title was shattered on May 9 last when his charges suffered a heavy defeat to Down in the final. But that defeat apart, Westmeath's form has been excellent since Ryan took over the managerial reins. In the end, promotion to the top flight proved beyond the Westmeath hurlers. An eight-match unbeaten run under new manager Tom Ryan suggested that Westmeath were primed to take their place in Division 1 of the National League for the first time since 1987, but Down clearly hadn't read the script and ran out easy winners of a Division 2 final which won't hold happy memories for Lake County supporters. Westmeath entered the Gaelic Grounds decider as slight favourites and everything appeared to be going according to plan after Barry Kennedy and John Shaw scored early goals. But Down finished the first half in whirlwind fashion and remained in the ascendancy for much of the second half, leaving Westmeath on the receiving end of a 3-7 to 5-15 drubbing. Tom Ryan will be hoping that the display against Down was a once-off because Westmeath's form had been excellent until then. Although the Limerick man's first game in charge ended in a Walsh Cup defeat to UCD, it didn't take him long to instill a winning mentality in the players. The only pity is that they didn't do themselves justice when the stakes were highest. While Ryan will be disappointed not to have guided Westmeath to Division 1, he can still take a great deal of encouragement from what he has achieved so far. Prior to his appointment last November, Westmeath hurling had reached a low ebb and there appeared to be little hope of an improvement in the short term. But the former Limerick manager's passion and commitment quickly rubbed off on the players and regardless of what happens for the rest of the year, there can be little doubt that he has succeeded in putting the pride back into Westmeath hurling. Westmeath opened their National League Division 2 campaign with a dramatic 2-11 to 0-16 victory over Kildare at Cusack Park. It looked as though Westmeath would have to settle for a draw when Tom Carew fired over his 13th point for Kildare with six minutes remaining. But a last-gasp strike from substitute Derek Gallagher clinched both points for the home side. Westmeath got off to a great start when former Clare under 21 Diarmuid Conway goaled after six minutes. Midway through the half, Daniel Carty put further daylight between the sides when he scored a second goal. However, a succession of wonderful points from the impressive Carew left the visitors just four points adrift, 0-7 to 2-6, at the interval. Carew continued his tour de force following the resumption and looked to have earned a share of the spoils for the Lilywhites until Gallagher saved the day for Westmeath. In what would prove to be a dress rehearsal for the final, an injury-time goal from Barry Kennedy earned Westmeath a 2-12 to 1-15 draw with Down at Ballygalget on February 29. The visitors started brightly with Andrew Mitchell and Derek McNicholas notching early points. But an understrength Down side hit back with five unanswered points to put themselves firmly in the driving seat. A brilliant Brendan McGourty goal stetched the home side's lead and although Andrew Mitchell and Johnny McGrattan exchanged points on three occasions, Westmeath had the final say of the first half when the excellent Kennedy set up Daniel Carty for a goal to leave the sides level at 1-8 each at the break. Mitchell edged Westmeath in front on the restart before points from McGrattan and Martin Coulter put Down five clear. However, points from Kennedy and Mitchell reduced the deficit before Kennedy grabbed his equalizing goal in the first minute of injury-time. Westmeath regained winning ways when they inflicted a 3-14 to 0-9 defeat on Roscommon at Cusack Park. The midlanders signalled their intentions inside the first minute when John Shaw blasted to the net. A second goal from Barry Kennedy effectively ended the game as a contest after 18 minutes and, while Roscommon hurled with more conviction in the second half, they were no match for a Westmeath team who embellished their performance with a third goal from Andrew Mitchell 15 minutes from the end. Tom Ryan's charges made certain of their place in the top section of the section phase when they recorded a 2-13 to 2-10 victory over Derry at Lavey. Despite being managerless, the Oak Leafers made life difficult for Westmeath who had to rely on two early goals from Barry Kennedy to see them through. Kennedy's brace of goals were cancelled out by two similar efforts from Gregory Biggs before half-time, but the visitors regained the initiative following the change of ends with scores from Andrew Mitchell and Paddy Dowdall helping them to a hard-earned win. Westmeath packed too much power for Wicklow in their next outing, running out facile 1-25 to 0-10 winners at Castletown-Geoghegan. In a nip and tuck opening six minutes, the sides were tied on 0-4 each, but after local boy Ronan Whelan scored the game's only goal a short time later, the result was never in any doubt. Andrew Mitchell had a field day, finishing as top scorer with 0-11. The maroons moved a step closer to securing their place in the Division 2 final when they overcame neighbours Meath by 2-9 to 0-10 at Trim. They laid the foundations for their win in the first half when goals from Darren McCormack and Ronan Whelan helped them to a 2-6 to 0-6 interval lead. But the Royals showed a big improvement on the restart with points from Evan Lynam and Mickey Cole reducing the gap to two points, 2-6 to 0-10. However, that was as close as they came as Westmeath finished strongly with unanswered points from substitute Jonathan Forbes, John Shaw and Andrew Mitchell. Entering their final phase two game against Kerry in Tralee, Westmeath knew that if they avoided defeat by 12 points or less, then a place in the divisional final would be theirs. But not just satisfied with getting a "result", Westmeath produced their best performance in years to overwhelm the Kingdom on a 4-21 to 0-9 scoreline. Kerry got off to a promising start, but with Andrew Mitchell in top form at midfield, the visitors had forged into a 0-11 to 0-5 lead by half-time. Within eight minutes of the restart, the game was over as a contest with goals from teenage substitute Killian Cosgrove and Barry Kennedy helping Westmeath to a 2-15 to 0-7 lead. The outclassed home side had John Mike Dooley sent off for a second yellow card before two further goals from substitute Daniel Carty completed the rout. Before the league final, though, there was the small matter of a Leinster championship clash with Wicklow for Tom Ryan's charges. Westmeath started slowly and played second fiddle to Wicklow for long periods of the first half. However, goals from Vincent Bateman and Ronan Whelan against the run of play gave Westmeath a 2-6 to 0-9 lead at the break. On the restart, Westmeath took complete control with further goals from John Shaw (two), Mitchell and Frank Shaw propelling them to a 6-14 to 1-13 win. At the time of writing, they were due to meet Kildare in the next round with Dublin awaiting the winners. Having gone eight games unbeaten, Westmeath unsurprisingly entered the Division 2 decider in a confident frame of mind. But despite making an encouraging start, they were eventually over-run by a far more potent Down outfit. Goals from John Shaw and Barry Kennedy helped Westmeath to an early 2-1 to 0-4 lead but, in a blistering three-minute spell, Paul and Michael Braniff beat 'keeper Mark Briody to give Down a 2-7 to 2-1 lead at the break. The Mournemen were given a further lift when Garret Johnson bagged their third goal within minutes of the restart. However, they were given a reminder that all was not over when Barry Kennedy replied at the opposite end. But Down were not about to lose their grip on the game and when the outstanding Braniff swooped for two further goals in the 57th and 59th minutes, Westmeath were dead and buried. It goes without saying that the defeat was a major setback to Westmeath, but if Tom Ryan has his way, they won't be down for very long. Tweet

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