Martin’s goal propels Westmeath to third straight league win

Westmeath’s senior footballers sit proudly in second place behind Down on score difference in the National Football League Division 3 table after a six-point win over Wicklow in what was a largely scrappy game played on a disappointing surface in Echelon Park, Aughrim last Sunday afternoon.

Despite seldom reaching any great heights and propelled by a trademark goal from versatile veteran Kieran Martin in the 15th minute, Westmeath deservedly maintained their 100 per cent start to their campaign in front of a small attendance, many of whom had travelled long journeys from various parts of the Lake County.

In truth, Wicklow – whose manager Oisín McConville was suspended, with Mark Doran deputising in the bainisteoir’s bib – were poor on the day, albeit they spurned two gilt-edged goal opportunities early in the second half, the conversion of which could have made for a very different outcome. Westmeath are sure to face stronger opponents in the weeks ahead.

The respective number 14s, Kevin Quinn (three points, including two frees for the wind-assisted home team) and Senan Baker (two frees), monopolised the scoring in the opening 12 minutes. Moments after Ray Connellan hit the first wide of the contest, Ronan O’Toole picked out Martin who duly burrowed his way goalward in his own inimitable style before rifling an unstoppable low shot past Shane Doyle.

Errors abounded from both sides at this juncture, before Quinn (after Eoin Darcy almost got in on goal) and Baker (the award seemed soft) traded further points from placed balls by the 24th minute. The hard-working Connellan soon defended to great effect for the men in maroon and white, and his midfield colleague Andy McCormack was well off-target with a point attempt.

Tom Moran shot the Garden County’s first wide in the 28th minute. A point from a tight angle by the influential Ronan Wallace and a neat score from league debutant Danny McCartan (ironically at the end of a somewhat wild attempt by his brother Sam) increased the visitors’ lead. In the last action of what was a forgettable first half, Dean Healy’s effort found the side netting after he had soloed goalward. Dessie Dolan’s charges deservedly led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

One of Wicklow’s brace of half-time subs, Jack Kirwan, spurned a glorious goal opportunity within 30 seconds of the resumption of play, his shot coming back off the butt of the post when all spectators expected the net to shake. The other interval replacement, John Paul Moran, was less wasteful some six minutes later when he pointed neatly. In the 44th minute, Malachy Stone was superbly thwarted by Jason Daly when a goal looked certain.

Buoyed by this let-off, the Lake County scored four unanswered points during the ensuing ten minutes. Martin converted a tricky left-footed free; Sam McCartan picked out Baker for a very well-taken point from open play; O’Toole (who was very closely marked throughout) pointed in style (when also set up by Sam McCartan); and Baker slotted over a free (after Jonathan Lynam was fouled as a goal beckoned). Westmeath now led by 1-9 to 0-5.

A routine free conversion by Quinn and a good point from wing back Eoin Murtagh kept the men in blue and gold just about in touch, but a quickfire brace from Danny McCartan and sub Robbie Forde (a fisted score) restored the winners’ nine-point cushion.

Quinn kicked another free on the hour mark, before the teams equally shared four points in a low-key finale. Danny McCartan (thereby completing a noteworthy hat-trick) and Baker (a free with the last kick of the game) were on target for Westmeath, sandwiched between which Quinn copper-fastened his top scorer status with two more successful frees for the losers.

Scorers – Westmeath: S Baker 0-6 (5f), K Martin 1-1 (0-1f), D McCartan 0-3, R Wallace, R Forde, R O’Toole 0-1 each.

Wicklow: K Quinn 0-8 (7f), JP Nolan, E Murtagh 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Jason Daly; James Dolan, Charlie Drumm, Jamie Gonoud; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace, Conor Dillon; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; David Lynch, Ronan O’Toole, Jonathan Lynam; Danny McCartan, Senan Baker, Kieran Martin. Subs used: Kevin Maguire for Dolan (51), Robbie Forde for Martin (55), Nigel Harte for Lynam (55), Matthew Whittaker for Dillon (60), Daniel Scahill for Gonoud (67).

Wicklow: Shane Doyle; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, Paddy O’Keane, Eoin Murtagh; Dean Healy, Craig Maguire; Liam O’Neill, Eoin D’Arcy, Cathal Baker; Oisín McGraynor, Kevin Quinn, Cillian McDonald. Subs used: Jack Kirwan for Prendergast (h-t), John Paul Nolan for Baker (h-t), Fintan O’Shea for McDonald (55), Brian Nesbitt for O’Neill (55), Conor Fee for McGraynor (60).

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan).