McHugh’s men produced a strong final-quarter display to see off Limerick in difficult weather conditions in TEG Cusack Park, setting up a winner-takes-all clash with Wexford next Sunday for promotion to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League.
A lively opening half saw chances at both ends, with Luke Loughlin’s early goal helping the our side into the contest after Tony McCarthy’s opening two-pointer for the visitors. Further scores, including a goal from Matthew Whittaker, pushed Westmeath ahead before Limerick responded with goals from Shane Cross and Peter Nash to leave the sides level during an entertaining period.
A point from Sam McCartan nudged Westmeath back in front before the break, and they went in at half-time narrowly ahead, 2-06 to 2-05. We looked to have taken control when substitute Robbie Forde struck for a goal in the 45th minute to stretch the lead to six points, but Limerick battled back through a well-taken James Naughton goal to remain firmly in contention entering the final quarter.
With the wind at their backs, Westmeath finished strongly and pulled away with an unanswered 1-09 in the closing stages. Captain Ronan Wallace was inspirational, firing home a 62nd-minute goal and adding a second two-pointer from play, while Brían Cooney also raised an orange flag. The late surge secured a convincing win for our side, with Boidu Sayeh adding the final point as Westmeath set up a decisive promotion showdown away to Wexford.
Westmeath: J Daly; D Scahill, C Drumm, B Sayeh (0-01); R Wallace (1-04, 2 2pt), S Allen, M Whittaker (1-01); S McCartan (0-02, 1f), J Lynam; K O’Sullivan (0-01), D McCartan, B Cooney (0-04, 1 2pt); S Corcoran, L Loughlin (1-03, 1f), T Molloy (0-01). Subs: R Forde (1-01) for Molloy (41), B Kelly (0-02) for D McCartan (46), C Dillon for Corcoran (53), E McCabe for O’Sullivan (58), TJ Cox (0-01) for Lynam (66).
Limerick: J Alfred; O Collins, D O’Doherty, D Buckley; C O’Duinn, O Moss, K Ryan, T McCarthy (0-02, 2pt); S Clancy, T Childs; S Cross (1-00), C Fahy, E Riordan; D Neville, J Naughton (1-01), P Nash (1-00). Subs: M McCarthy (0-02, 2pt) for O’Duinn (inj., 6), C Woulfe for Collins (inj., 9), R O’Brien (0-01) for Childs (h-t), J McCarthy (0-01) for Clancy (inj., 39), C McSweeney for T McCarthy (inj., 48), P Maher (0-01) for Naughton (temp, 57).
Photo credit; Darren Keavney – Westmeath Examiner
By westmeathpro Mon 16th Mar
