How great is it to have the hurling back?
We've gone far too long without any sort of GAA action, with the early portion of the year usually packed with league fixtures in both codes.
We have had to wait until May for the shorted league campaigns to finally get underway in 2021, but we are buzzing for the fixtures to come over the next few weeks.
The small ball got a head start of the football, with Allianz National Hurling League getting underway this afternoon.
The first game in Division 1 was to take place in Mullingar, with Westmeath hosting Galway in Group A.
It was a game the Westerners would enter as heavy favourites, a tag that was justified as they took a 3-18 to 0-10 lead into the halftime break.
However, the highlight of the opening half undoubtedly came from the side.
It came via Ciaran Doyle, with the Raharney club man producing an early point of the season contender. The centre forward would pull off a stunning volleyed effort after the ball was passed to him by Davy Glennon, pointing from near the sideline well outside the 45-metre line.
Sit back and enjoy this one.
Ciarán Doyle with a sensational point for Westmeath pic.twitter.com/5yOb6uvSPM
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 8, 2021
With the game being broadcast live on TG4, there was plenty of reaction to the score.
Ciaran Doyle 🙌 it’s back 💪🏿
— Anthony Daly (@DaloAnto) May 8, 2021
Ciaran Doyle with the point of the year there doubling the ball over the bar from near the ‘45 - that won’t be beaten! 👏👏
— Michael Verney (@mlverney) May 8, 2021
Blow up the score of the season competition because Westmeath's Ciaran Doyle has just won it 25 minutes into the first game back. #AllianzLeagues
— Robbie Fahy (@RobbieFahy) May 8, 2021
Ciaran Doyle take a bow 👏 #volley
— Jackie Tyrrell (@MrJackieTee) May 8, 2021
Here's hoping for plenty more special moments such as this one over the coming weeks.
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