Dolan’s men show great resolve to earn draw with Down

Westmeath 0-13, Down 1-10

This was surely Westmeath's best performance of the league campaign so far, despite it being the only game they didn't win.

Considering the calibre of opposition from Down and the number of players missing, it would be very hard to argue otherwise.

Ultimately Westmeath maintained their unbeaten record in Division 3 with this exciting draw against Down at TEG Cusack Park last Sunday, thereby moving a step closer to promotion.

The result means that if Westmeath avoid defeat to Sligo in their last game at Markievicz Park next Sunday (2pm), they will secure promotion to Division 2 for the 2025 season.

But a defeat to Sligo combined with a Clare win over Down in Newry would see Westmeath miss out. Those two results would see Clare top the table and Down finish ahead of Westmeath on scoring difference.

A victory for Westmeath over Down would have sealed promotion with a game to spare, but the Lake County men are still in a very good position.

When Down's Daniel Guinness struck for a 43rd-minute goal, Westmeath faced an uphill task as it left them four points in arrears (1-5 to 0-4). In a game where no more than two points had separated the sides up to that stage, it looked like a lead that might prove decisive.

However, Dessie Dolan's charges showed admirable resolve and they outscored their opponents by 0-9 to 0-5 in the remainder of the contest.

The first half was a cagey affair with both sides finding scores hard to come by and Down led by 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time, having played with the wind.

Considering Down's impressive scoring form this year (they are the joint highest scorers across all four divisions after last weekend's games), Westmeath had just cause to be pleased with restricting them to such a scoreline, albeit the visitors were wasteful with scoring chances.

Westmeath thwarted Down with some great defensive interceptions throughout and, despite conceding the game's only goal, they didn't cough up the amount of clear goalscoring chances seen in some other games.

The second period was far more entertaining as the game opened up. The contest finished in a welter of excitement with both sides having chances to win it, though Down exerted more pressure in added time.

Yet again there were several changes to the Westmeath's match-day panel, with Daniel Scahill (who again underlined his potential), Kieran Martin and Luke Loughlin drafted into the starting XV, and four additions to the subs.

On St Patrick's Day, perhaps it was appropriate that Westmeath wore their alternative green jerseys, with Down kitted out in predominantly black rather than their traditional red.

Westmeath suffered an early blow when young corner-forward Danny McCartan was forced off with what looked like a bad injury, but his replacement Robbie Forde went on to have a major influence on proceedings.

Down were wasteful with scoring opportunities in the first half and they registered three wides, before Jonathan Lynam opened the scoring (ninth minute). Westmeath doubled their lead when, after Lynam kept Loughlin's free from the right in play, Forde pointed neatly off his left foot.

Following a weak right-footed effort by Ronan O'Toole, Down forced a free-in at the other end, allowing Pat Havern to belatedly open their account (18th minute). Havern started the game at midfield but generally operated at full-forward and caused the Westmeath defence plenty of problems.

After Lynam failed to take advantage of some good work by Conor Dillon, play switched to the other end and James Guinness rather easily created space for himself to draw the sides level (0-2 each).

In the 29th minute, Daniel Guinness won a kickout uncontested and this led to a Down point by Danny Magill after a one-two with Miceal Rooney. At the other end, good work from Forde and Dillon set up raiding defender James Dolan, who ended Westmeath's wait for a score.

As the first half moved into added time, Westmeath were punished for a couple of stray passes in quick succession as Havern scored his second point. The same player added to Down's lead early in the second half (a free), before Forde landed a wonderful free from close to the left sideline.

Dillon failed to find a teammate with a pass forward and Down soon made the hosts pay when Daniel Guinness rifled a fine shot into the top corner of the net (43rd minute).

Now four points adrift, Westmeath responded to adversity with considerable spirit and no little skill.

Ronan O'Toole, well curbed in the first half, showed the way with a fine point from distance. Westmeath continued to launch attacks and pointed frees followed from Forde and Loughlin, both players earning their respective frees themselves.

Down checked Westmeath's growing momentum when Ceilum Doherty (who wore number 4 but operated further forward) pointed at the end of some patient build-up play.

Kieran Martin showed his enduring value when he made a great fetch from Loughlin's cross and swept the ball over the bar. Conor Laverty's men restored their two-point cushion when Havern punished a foul by Andy McCormack (who was characteristically industrious in general).

Tubberclair's Matthew Whittaker, who had been introduced at half-time, edged Westmeath closer and Ray Connellan sent over a majestic equaliser (58th minute) after the influential Kevin Maguire found him in space.

Down responded with points from the impressive Odhran Murdock and Ryan Johnston, and the Mourne men looked the more likely winners at this stage.

Loughlin (a free) and Forde brought Westmeath level once again, before Loughlin sent over a superb point to put the home side in front.

Ultimately, Down defender Ryan McEvoy earned the visitors a share of spoils when he came forward and guided over a 69th-minute equaliser in composed fashion.

In the frenetic closing minutes, both sides had claims for frees in promising positions. Down looked more likely to snatch a winner and a wonderfully committed block by James Dolan was one of the standout moments as Westmeath held firm.

Scorers - Westmeath: R Forde 0-4 (2f); L Loughlin 0-3 (2f); J Lynam, J Dolan, R O’Toole, K Martin, M Whittaker, R Connellan 0-1 each. Down: P Havern 0-4 (3f); D Guinness 1-0; J Guinness, D Magill, C Doherty, O Murdock, R Johnston, R McEvoy 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Jason Daly; James Dolan, Kevin Maguire, Daniel Scahill; Sam McCartan, David Lynch, Nigel Harte; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O'Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, Kieran Martin, Danny McCartan. Subs: Robbie Forde for D McCartan (inj., 5 mins); Matthew Whittaker for Lynam (h-t); Eoin Mulvihill for Dillon (50), Stephen Smith for Martin (64), Shane Allen for Harte (69).

Down: John O’Hare; Miceal Rooney, Pierce Laverty, Ryan McEvoy; Danny Magill, Peter Fegan, Daniel Guinness; Pat Havern, Odhran Murdock; Niall McParland, James Guinness, Ceilum Doherty; Liam Kerr, Ryan Johnston, Caolan Mooney. Subs: Jonny Flynn for McParland (h-t); Andrew Gilmore for Mooney (inj., 42 mins), Shane Annett for J Guinness (46); Conor Francis for Magill (58); Rory Mason for Johnston (69).

Referee: James Molloy (Galway).