Footballers return to NFL Division 2

Relegation had looked on the cards for some time, but this dismal defeat at home to Donegal last Sunday removed all doubt about Westmeath"s fate.However, it is the manner of the performance that will cause more concern to supporters as Westmeath suffered their sixth consecutive defeat in Division 1 of this year"s NFL.Donegal almost always looked in control even though they only led by a single point at half-time (0-7 to 1-3). Niall Kilcoyne gave his side something of a life-raft with a well-taken goal just before the interval, even though there was more than a hint of the controversy about the score. The Westmeath midfielder appeared to push a Donegal defender before firing a left-foot shot past Paul Durcan, but the goal stood and the home fans in the official attendance of 1,920 hoped their side could built on this boost in the second period.Tomás Ó Flatharta"s side did manage to draw level by the 44th minute (1-5 to 0-8), and a close battle to the finish looked a distinct possibility at Cusack Park. However, Westmeath failed to score for the next 15 minutes, during which time Donegal landed four points. In truth, the Tir Chonaill men seemed virtually home and hosed at that stage.Donegal lost team captain Rory Kavanagh though a yellow card in the 51st minute - substitute Stephen Griffin suffered a similar fate with four minutes left - yet Westmeath rarely looked capable of taking advantage.Going into this penultimate league game, the men in maroon and white knew a win was absolutely necessary if they were to have any hope of escaping the drop to Division 2. Irrespective of whether relegation would ultimately be their lot, the Westmeath football fraternity was looking for a performance that would instil confidence for the Leinster championship campaign. As events transpired, this display only served to increase the anxiety of Lake County supporters.Once again, it"s worth remembering that key players remain absent due to injury - Donal O"Donoghue, Martin Flanagan, Fergal Wilson and Dessie Dolan - but that does not fully explain this lacklustre showing. Indeed, Donegal were without some big names of their own, such as former All-Star defender Karl Lacey, giant midfielder Neil Gallagher and the versatile Kevin Cassidy. Indeed, none of the Donegal under-21 players were involved in this encounter as they are due to face Armagh in an Ulster championship semi-final tonight (Wednesday).In searching for positives from a Westmeath perspective, one hopes that young players like Niall Kilcoyne, Conrad Reilly, Thomas McDaniel and Conor Lynam - all of whom have tasted plenty of action during the campaign - will learn from the experience of playing at this level.Westmeath will have nothing tangible to play for in their last league game against Dublin at Parnell Park on April 12, while Pat Gilroy"s side will be looking for a big win, in case their bid to avoid relegation comes down to scoring difference. From a Westmeath point of view, it"s hardly a recipe to provoke gaiety. However, as it will be the midlanders" last competitive match before the Leinster championship quarter-final against Longford or Wicklow, it should be viewed as an important work-out.For Donegal (who defeated All-Ireland champions Tyrone in their previous outing), this win gives them a decent chance of avoiding relegation, but they still need an away win over Ulster rivals Derry to be sure of securing Division 1 status.The home side had the benefit of the tricky crossfield breeze in the first half, although it didn"t seem to confer any great advantage. The Ulster side had a goal chance within 20 seconds of the throw-in, when full-forward Ryan Bradley fielded a delivery from Christy Toye ahead of Kieran Gavin, and headed for goal. However, Bradley"s low shot was brilliantly saved by 2008 All-Star goalkeeper Gary Connaughton.Westmeath full-forward Denis Glennon scored the opening point from a free, but Donegal reeled off the next five points. Three of these scores came from midfield duo Brendan Boyle (2) and Christy Toye, with roving corner-forward Conal Dunne and Ryan Bradley (who gave Kieran Gavin plenty of problems) accounting for the others. Several Donegal moves were going through centre-forward Brian Roper, who was giving his marker Derek Heavin a torrid time. Doran Harte was subsequently given the task of shackling the diminutive Donegal veteran.Westmeath"s first score from play finally arrived in the 25th minute, Michael Ennis on target after good work from impressive wing-back Doran Harte. Ryan Bradley and Denis Glennon (free) exchanged points, before Kilcoyne scored the only goal of the game, after catching a free sent in by Glennon. In the 37th minute, Donegal wing-forward David Walsh edged his side back in front.A fairly heavy shower of rain during half-time saw conditions in Mullingar deteriorate for the second half. Within two minutes of the restart, Michael Doherty put Donegal two in front, but Westmeath drew level thanks to points from Athlone"s Dermot Bannon and Doran Harte. Bannon had been introduced for Thomas McDaniel (who struggled with the physicality of the proceedings), and the substitute made a reasonable impact in the second half.Bannon"s point came after Michael Ennis uncharacteristically failed to take advantage of a goal chance, following good work by Glennon and Conrad Reilly. The closest Westmeath came to a goal over the remainder of the contest was when Denis Glennon embarked on a threatening solo run, before he was foiled by a good block from the impressive Brendan Boyle.Both sides were regularly guilty of laborious efforts in attack as the ball was regularly moved across the field in a series of handpasses, with Donegal getting men behind the ball at every opportunity. However, the men from the north-west found it easier to garner scores and they were more composed in their finishing.The visitors responded to Westmeath going level by posting four points on the trot, a huge score (from almost 50 metres) by team captain Rory Kavanagh starting the sequence. John Joe Doherty"s side put some flowing moves together during this period of the game, with two points from Christy Toye and one from Bradley leaving them 0-12 to 1-5 ahead.In the 50th minute, Brendan Devenney make his latest return to the Donegal colours, entering the fray as a substitute. A minute later, the influential Rory Kavanagh was deservedly yellow-carded (and therefore dismissed) for a high tackle on John Smyth. Westmeath needed a goal if they were to salvage anything from the game and John Connellan was introduced as a sub, his first appearance at senior inter-county level for some time.However, a couple of fine points from Glennon and Ennis was all Westmeath could muster on the scoreboard as Donegal added to their lead with points from Griffin (just before his dismissal), Roper (free) and substitute Michael Hegarty.Westmeath"s best players on the day were probably Doran Harte (undoubtedly one of his side"s most impressive performers this season) and the hugely industrious John Smyth.Westmeath were well beaten at midfield, with Niall Kilcoyne unable to replicate the impact he made against Tyrone a couple of weeks previously, while David Duffy was again often wayward with whatever possession he did win. Denis Glennon was the main threat to the Donegal defence, where full-back Neil McGee was a forceful presence. Glennon only managed to score one point from play and badly lacked support, with Michael Ennis the only other starting Westmeath forward to register a score.Scorers - Donegal: R Bradley, C Toye 0-3 each; B Boyle 0-2; C Dunne, D Walsh, R Kavanagh, M Doherty, M Hegarty, S Griffin and B Roper (f) 0-1 each. Westmeath: N Kilcoyne 1-0; D Glennon 0-3 (2f); M Ennis 0-2; D Bannon, D Harte 0-1 each.Donegal: Paul Durcan; Johnny Gallagher, Neil McGee, Paddy McDaid; Charlie Byrne, Barry Monaghan, Michael McGuire; Brendan Boyle, Christy Toye; David Walsh, Brian Roper, Rory Kavanagh (capt.); Conal Dunne, Ryan Bradley, Michael Doherty. Subs: Stephen Griffin for Dunne (injured, 36 mins); Michael Hegarty for Roper (50); Brendan Devenney for Doherty (50); B Roper for Kavanagh (yellow card, 52); Ray Sweeney for Byrne (53); Ronan Mac Niallais for Griffin (yellow card, 67).Westmeath: Gary Connaughton; Francis Boyle, Kieran Gavin, John Keane (capt.); Alan Claffey, Derek Heavin, Doran Harte; Niall Kilcoyne, David Duffy; Michael Ennis, John Smyth, Conrad Reilly; Thomas McDaniel, Denis Glennon, Conor Lynam. Subs: Dermot Bannon for McDaniel (34 mins); Paul Bannon for Kilcoyne (52); John Connellan for Claffey (58); Keith Scally for Reilly (60).Referee: Aidan Mangan (Kerry).