Westmeath do enough to maintain winning ways

Allianz Football League Division 3

Westmeath 0-14 Limerick 1-8

Westmeath made it four wins from four games against Limerick at TEG Cusack Park yesterday, thereby keeping pace with Down in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League.

The experienced Kieran Martin was again to the fore for Westmeath, the Maryland player making a crucial contribution off the bench by scoring three points.

Overall, it was far from an impressive display by Westmeath but team manager Dessie Dolan will be pleased to see his charges maintain their push for promotion.

Despite coming into the game bottom of the table, Limerick made a promising start and enjoyed plenty of possession. Westmeath led by just a single point at half-time, 0-6 to 0-5, having played with the aid of the breeze.

The home side scored three points on the trot early in the second half, courtesy of Nigel Harte, Martin and Danny McCartan (a free) to open up daylight, but a battling Limerick side kept in touch.

With Ronan O'Toole an influential figure, Westmeath went five points ahead (0-13 to 0-8) close to the end, but a superbly taken goal by Cathal Downes revived Limerick hopes in the first minute of added time.

Martin's third point steadied the Westmeath ship and the victory leaves them joint top of the table on eight points, with Down ahead on scoring difference.

Elsewhere in Division 3, Sligo made people sit up and take notice with a seven-point win over Antrim. Sligo are now level with Clare on six points after the Banner men claimed an emphatic win over pointless Wicklow.

On Saturday evening, Down continued their winning run but Offaly caused them problems in a lively encounter featuring six goals at Páirc Esler (final score: 4-12 to 2-14).

Westmeath team & scorers (vs Limerick): Jason Daly; Kevin Maguire, Charlie Drumm, Jamie Gonoud; Sam McCartan (0-1), Ronan Wallace (0-2), Nigel Harte (0-1); Ray Connellan (0-1), Andy McCormack; David Lynch, Ronan O'Toole (0-3), Eoin Mulvihill; Robbie Forde, Senan Baker (0-1, free), Danny McCartan (0-2, 1f). Subs used: Kieran Martin (0-3) for Baker (42 mins), Stephen Smith for Forde (42), James Dolan for Mulvihill (55), Conor Dillon for D McCartan (64), Shane Allen for Harte (70).