TWO goals from Callum McCormack and John Heslin gave Westmeath a flying start in Derry’s opening game in the Alliananz League.
McCormack netted after just one minute with a low and hard strike past goalkeeper McKinless.
Three minutes later James Kielt scored for Derry from a free but Westmeath went up the pitch and were awarded a penalty which Heslin scored.
Heslin also scored a further point before Bateson scored a point from open play for Derry
With the wind in their back, Derry pressed on and Kielt scored a point from a massive free before Enda Lynn got the Oak Leafers back in the game with a goal.
But Heslin scored two successive points and picked up a yellow card for a late hit on McGoldrick but which really should have been a black card.
Emmett Bradley then pointed for Derry which helped to close the gap with a goal just separating the sides at 1-04 to 2-04.
James Kielt reduced it to two points with a great score from open play.
It wasn’t long for Westmeath hit back with Heslin scoring another point, his first half contribution now at 1-04.
With five minutes left, John Egan blocked Michael Bateson’s goal bound shot and the ball went out for a 45.
Emmett Bradley almost found the net but Westmeath’s goalkeeper Carberry made a great save.
In the last minute of the half Callum McCormack and Ger Egan both pointed for Westmeath.
Peter Hagan replied for Derry and Michael Bateson hit his second point of the game and the difference between the sides at half is a single goal – Derry 1-07 v 2-07 Westmeath.
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