McCartan and Lynam inspire impressive Westmeath win

Westmeath 2-10, Down 0-13

For the second time in three years, Westmeath's senior footballers have claimed silverware at Croke Park.

In 2022, it was the inaugural Tailteann Cup - a triumph which sparked huge homecoming celebrations. Last Saturday night's Division 3 final victory over Down won't have attracted such fanfare, not least because it came just eight days before the Leinster championship opener against Wicklow.

Yet this was a significant and satisfactory victory for several reasons. Inspired by an outstanding display from Sam McCartan and with Jonathan Lynam emerging as an improbable hero with two goals, Westmeath did enough to overcome pre-match favourites Down.

With promotion to Division 2 for 2025 already secured, this victory places Westmeath ahead of Down in the pecking order to compete in this year's Sam Maguire Cup group stages. However, Westmeath are not sure of 'Sam' participation as the vagaries of the draw ordain that a team from outside next year's top two divisions (Clare/Tipperary/Waterford) will contest the Munster final.

Therefore, if Down reach the Ulster final or Kildare the Leinster equivalent, Westmeath will be squeezed out of the Sam Maguire Cup group stages and will go back to the Tailteann Cup. Of course, if Westmeath themselves manage to reach this year’s Leinster final, their place at the top table will be secure.

The fact that Westmeath kept their net intact against a Down a team which scored 14 goals (and a total of 14-103) in their seven league games was testament to the winners' defensive efforts.

Westmeath's tactical approach of defending in numbers and then launching counter attacks when possible frustrated Down. The men in green and maroon trim proved adept at executing turnovers and the Mourne men resorted to hasty shooting.

At times Down were architects of their own downfall but Dessie Dolan's men deserve credit for restricting them to 0-13, effectively the same total as when the teams played out an exciting draw 13 days previously (Down scoring 1-10 on that occasion). Occasionally Westmeath could have been more clinical on the counter attack and this is something they will aim to work on.

That the victory was achieved without three players who would be regarded as first choice defenders – team captain Kevin Maguire, Ronan Wallace and Jack Smith – made it all the more laudable. In addition, Westmeath's all-time leading scorer John Heslin only entered the fray in added time.

With the ludicrous way the split season is structured coming under sustained and justified attack from many quarters, Westmeath must now turn their attention to the clash with Wicklow in Portlaoise on Sunday (3.30pm). But provided the players are fully tuned in for what will be their fourth game in four weeks, they are more of capable of a win which would set up a Leinster quarter-final against Kildare.

Amid pleasant weather conditions, the early portents were far from positive for Westmeath. Pat Havern (who generally operated in attack) won the throw-in and set up Miceal Rooney for the opening point with about ten seconds on the clock. After Luke Loughlin's pass towards Stephen Smith was cut out, Down's impressive centre-forward Liam Kerr embarked on a piercing solo run and sent over his side's second point.

With Ronan O'Toole uncharacteristically wasteful with possession and chances that came his way, Westmeath were struggling to get going and had a let-off when a Down player picked the ball off the ground in a promising attacking position.

After Smith missed a good chance, Sam McCartan showed the way with Westmeath's opening point (13th minute), following good work from Ray Connellan and O'Toole. Impressive Down midfielder Odhran Murdock responded with a point but Westmeath drew level by the 19th minute with points from David Lynch and Robbie Forde (a fine score).

Pat Havern scored the first of his seven frees, after Westmeath were punished for coughing up possession cheaply. Westmeath then failed to take a great goal chance when, after Andy McCormack and Jonathan Lynam were involved in the build-up, O'Toole shot wide.

Kerr soon scored his second point but Westmeath gave their hopes a major boost when Lynam struck for an opportunist goal (28th minute). Loughlin's point attempt went short but Lynam did well to follow up his club colleague's effort, beating Down goalie John O'Hare to the ball and palming to the net.

Two more pointed frees from Havern put Down back in front, before Forde equalised from a free earned by the lively Smith. As the first half moved into added time, Havern put Conor Laverty's charges back in front. Considering the way the game had started, the Westmeath camp was probably content to be just a point adrift at the interval (0-8 to 1-4).

Early in the second half, Havern was again on target from a free (the foul saw Connellan yellow-carded). Loughlin was soon shown a harsh yellow card and this may have been a factor in the decision to subsequently call him ashore. In any case, Westmeath drew level by the 50th minute with points from Forde (a free earned by O'Toole) and Conor Dillon, after Connellan's supreme fetch at midfield and pass.

On 52 minutes, Westmeath hit the front for the first time and it was a case of 'fortune favours the brave' with McCartan's splendid score. As Down looked to respond, Kerr headed for goal on a threatening solo run, with Lynam having little option but to foul him perilously close to the parallelogram. Westmeath were relieved to only concede another pointed free from Havern.

At the other end, McCartan hastily blazed wide (possibly his only mistake all night) after James Dolan had kept the ball in play. Following some ragged play from both sides - including Westmeath substitute Senan Baker hitting a disappointing shot into the keeper's hands - Down sub Oisín Savage fired over when a goal looked a possibility.

The net soon rippled at the other end (60th minute). Good work from McCartan created the opening and Lynam kept his composure to sweep the ball home, though O'Hare certainly didn't cover himself in glory with this efforts to stop him.

With Down guilty of wasteful shooting, Westmeath sub Lorcan Dolan saw his attempt blocked out for a '45' which the irrepressible McCartan sent over superbly. After James Dolan's committed block underlined the resolve in the Westmeath defence, Nigel Harte forced another '45' and once more McCartan did the needful. Down's only response on the scoreboard was points from Havern (his seventh free) and Kerr, either side of Forde judiciously fisting the ball over the bar after an incisive run.

Afterwards, Westmeath captain Kevin Maguire lifted the Allianz Football League Division 3 trophy and Lake County fans will be hoping to see the Caulry man back in action soon. The victory saw Westmeath claim their first Division 3 title since the 2019 victory over Laois, who defeated well supported Leitrim in last Saturday's Division 4 final.

Scorers - Westmeath: J Lynam 2-0; S McCartan 0-4 (2 '45s); R Forde 0-3 (1 free); D Lynch, C Dillon and L Loughlin (f) 0-1 each. Down: P Havern 0-7 (7f); L Kerr 0-3; O Murdock, M Rooney and O Savage 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Daniel Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Jamie Gonoud; James Dolan, David Lynch, Sam McCartan; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; Jonathan Lynam, Ronan O'Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, Stephen Smith, Robbie Forde. Subs: Senan Baker for Smith (45 mins); Lorcan Dolan for Loughlin (51); Matthew Whittaker for Dillon (54); Nigel Harte for Gonoud (61); John Heslin for Forde (71).

Down: John O'Hare; Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Ceilum Doherty; Finn McElroy, Pierce Laverty, Daniel Guinness; Jonny Flynn, Odhran Murdock; Miceal Rooney, Liam Kerr, John McGovern; Danny Magill, Pat Havern, James Guinness. Subs: Oisín Savage for McGovern (39 mins); Shane Annett for J Guinness (44), Conor Francis for McElroy (54); Barry O'Hagan for Rooney (61); Rory Mason for Flynn (66).

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).