NHL Division 2A final: Kerry v Westmeath (today, Ennis, 2pm)
WITH Headquarters decreeing the winner of this game must be decided today, we will know for definite by this evening who of the two will be plying their hurling in a reformatted Division One next year.
Westmeath won Division 2A with a couple of points to spare, having won five out of five, while Kerry’s solitary defeat was at home to the Leinster men. However, it was Westmeath who also topped the table this time last year, again with an unblemished record, before going on to lose the final to second-placed Carlow. Manager Joe Quaid will be determined the same mistake isn’t committed twice.
Derek McNicholas, Cormac Boyle and Robbie Boyle have been among the goals for Westmeath in the league so far this year, while Kerry will be hoping for big games from both Shane Conway and Pádraig Boyle.
The Lake county have injury-doubts over Tommy Doyle, Cormac Boyle, and Darragh Clinton but, with so much at stake this afternoon, expect the trio to play at least some part in proceedings.
Kerry boss Fintan O’Connor has said he expects today’s final to be “a titanic struggle”, while Quaid is well aware of the “massive prize” on offer for the winners.
“Our main target was to get to the final this year,” said the Westmeath boss earlier this week.
“We’ve got there without playing superbly well which, believe me, I would take over playing extremely well and not winning.
“The prize is playing Division One hurling next year. That’s a massive prize. It’s a straight shoot-out to Division One.”
