The Big Match is with thanks to George Corbett Skoda
Waterford 7-34 (55)
Westmeath 0-24 (24)
Waterford recorded a record win as they hit 7-34 at Cusack Park to see off Westmeath by 31 points in what was a record-equaling victory for the Deise.
Charlie Treen and Sean Walsh hit two goals each while Dessie Hutchinson, Kevin Mahony and Patrick Curran also found the net on a day to remember for Waterford who look certain to return to Division 1A in 2026 – with promotion secured all bar mathematically.
Peter Queally’s men now face Offaly in two weeks time – a side they are likely to face again in the Division 1B final barring a dramatic change in circumstances.
Waterford came into the game off the back of three successive wins against Laois, Antrim and Dublin – while Westmeath came into the game winless and staring at the drop to Division 2.
Dessie Hutchinson got off the mark with a well-taken point in the opening seconds, and Charlie Treen soon capitalised on a loose ball to double the Deise’s advantage with barely a minute on the clock.
Niall O’Brien tested Billy Nolan early on with a rasping drive which was well saved by the Roanmore netminder, before Killian Doyle opened Westmeath’s account from a free. Conor Sheahan then opened his account as he was found in space by Jack Prendergast and made no mistake from a tight angle.
Doyle and Stephen Bennett then traded scores from frees, before Doyle again showed his prowess with the dead ball to reduce arrears to the minimum for the Lake County.
David O’Reilly brought the sides level for the first time on 10 minutes – but Waterford found the perfect response, as they fired two goals in as many minutes.
Stephen Bennett picked out Kevin Mahony following some great work on 11 minutes and the Ballygunner man made no mistake in raising the day’s opening green flag.
Westmeath did offer an admirable response to that initial setback, as Doyle scored from play before Mark Cunningham cannoned the sliotar off the upright with Nolan stranded – though Niall O’Brien was on hand to again make it a one-point affair.
Again, Waterford responded valiantly by working the ball upfield and Seamus Fitzgerald found Kevin Mahony who made no mistake in splitting the posts before Bennett brothers Kieran and Stephen combined for the latter to repeat the trick.
Jack Prendergast then came to the fore and he turned provider for Patrick Curran, and the Dungarvan man was on hand to slot in goal number two on 16 minutes to afford the Deise some breathing room.
Lismore man Prendergast then opened his personal account before David Williams knocked one over for the hosts, but the gulf in class became all the more apparent soon afterward as the Deise hit a purple patch – finding seven points without response.
Stephen Bennett added the first with a free, before Kevin Mahony slotted over either side of two well-taken Patrick Curran efforts, and the impressive Charlie Treen then added further injury to Westmeath when found in acres. Dessie Hutchinson then notched over from a tight angle before Killian Doyle did his utmost to arrest the slump, but Hutchinson was soon on hand to turn on a sixpence and push Waterford out into a 17-point lead in a matter of minutes.
Conor Sheahan then picked out Treen who brought his personal contribution up to 1-3, before points from Doyle and O’Brien kept Westmeath ticking over. Kevin Mahony also brought up 1-3 as he drifted away from his marker, before a superb point from distance which has become almost trademark of Mark Fitzgerald.
Peter Clarke got in on the act for Westmeath though it already mattered little, Jack Prendergast adding his second point right before half time before a comedy of errors in the backline with Johnny Bermingham the lead suspect – Charlie Treen kicked to the net to add goal number four, before Sheahan added another score – Waterford 4-21 Westmeath 0-11 at the break – and the home side never more glad to hear the half-time whistle.
Doyle and Stephen Bennett traded two dead balls apiece to begin the second period, before Mark Cunningham tried to ignite the most unlikely of fightbacks – but that flame was further extinguished as Prendergast drove at the defence and offloaded to Hutchinson for goal number five on 47 minutes.
Treen then picked out Prendergast for his third point of the afternoon, before a mini-revival saw the hosts score three without reply from Eamon Cunneen, Doyle and Niall O’Brien. Kevin Mahony produced one of the scores of the day soon afterward, shortening his grip following some great skill to fire over – before substitute Niall Mitchell raised a white flag.
Former Hurler of the Year Austin Gleeson took to the field for the Deise for the first time since May 2023 as the Waterford score already read 5-28.
9 March 2025; Austin Gleeson of Waterford comes onto the pitch during a second half substitution during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B match between Westmeath and Waterford at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar, Westmeath. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
The outstanding Mahony scored another superb point as he finished the day with 1-6 from play – and Sean Walsh also put his hand up for more minutes the moment he entered the pitch.
Mahony saw a shot blocked on 64 minutes as he sought a second goal but Walsh was on hand to add goal number six with his first touch, and moments later with his second touch when picked out by Darragh Lyons – Walsh buried to the net to bring the Deise’s tally to 7-30.
Waterford’s record league tally was brought up under Liam Cahill when they hit 7-31 against Laois – but somehow they found time to go three better with moments left on the clock, as late points from Stephen Bennett (2), Shane Bennett and Mahony capped off a superb trip to Mullingar.
A record breaking win for Waterford – and a return to hurling’s top table on the horizon.
Waterford: Billy Nolan; Seamus Fitzgerald, Conor Prunty, Ian Kenny; Gavin Fives, Mark Fitzgerald, Kieran Bennett; Kevin Mahony, Conor Sheahan; Peter Hogan, Charlie Treen, Jack Prendergast; Dessie Hutchinson, Stephen Bennett, Patrick Curran.
Subs: Shane Bennett for Gavin Fives (37); Darragh Lyons for Peter Hogan (39); Padraig Fitzgerald for Charlie Treen (49); Austin Gleeson for Patrick Curran (60); Sean Walsh for Conor Prunty (62)
Scorers: Stephen Bennett (0-10; 0-08f); Charlie Treen (2-03); Kevin Mahony (1-06); Dessie Hutchinson (1-04); Sean Walsh (2-00); Patrick Curran (1-02); Jack Prendergast (0-03); Shane Bennett and Conor Sheahan (0-02 each); Mark Fitzgerald and Padraig Fitzgerald (0-01 each)
Westmeath: Ciaran O’Brien; Conor Gaffney, Johnny Bermingham, Gary Greville; Adam Ennis, Robbie Greville, Eoin Keyes; Peter Clarke, Davy Glennon; David Williams, Killian Doyle, Mark Cunningham; Eamon Cunneen, Niall O’Brien, David O’Reilly.
Subs: Tommy Doyle for Adam Ennis (30); Shane Williams for Robbie Greville (HT); Aaron Craig for Eoin Keyes (HT); Niall Mitchell for Davy Glennon (HT); Darragh McCormack for Killian Doyle (62)
Scorers: Killian Doyle (0-09; 0-06f; 0-01 ’65); Niall O’Brien (0-04); Eamon Cunneen (0-03); David Williams (0-03; 0-01f); David O’Reilly, Mark Cunningham, Shane Williams, Peter Clarke and Niall Mitchell (0-01 each)
Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)
The Big Match is with thanks to George Corbett Skoda
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