Cunneen's last-gasp equaliser earns Westmeath a point in Kerry

Allianz NHL Div 2: Westmeath 0-17, Kerry 2-11

Westmeath snatched a dramatic draw from 14-man Kerry in Austin Stack Park on Sunday afternoon as Éamonn Cunneen fired over a fifth-minute injury-time equaliser to deny the hosts a famous victory.

John Griffin’s side looked set to prevail, leading at half-time, at the three-quarter mark and still holding the advantage more than three minutes into added time. However, Ronan Walsh’s first-half dismissal eventually told, leaving Kerry short for over a half as Westmeath finished strongly.

Kerry started brightly, moving 0-3 to 0-0 clear, and goals from Tom Doyle and Walsh helped them to a 2-5 to 0-7 interval lead despite squandering 14 first-half chances. Westmeath, more efficient in front of goal, stayed in touch and showed growing resolve after the break.

A six-point Kerry lead with 15 minutes remaining was gradually reeled in, with David Williams and Killian Doyle driving Westmeath forward. The pressure finally told deep into stoppage time when Cunneen landed the equaliser, leaving both sides with a point apiece in the promotion race alongside favourites Laois, who defeated Derry by ten points.

WESTMEATH SCORERS: Westmeath: K Doyle ( 0-7, 4fs), D Williams ( 0-6, 2’fs, 2’65’s), E Cunneen ( 0-2, 1s/l), J Bermingham and P Clarke ( 0-1 each).

WESTMEATH TEAM: Sean Jackson; Shane Williams, Conor Shaw, Conor McKeogh; Mark Cunningham, Johnny Bermingham, Ruairí Keyes; Killian Doyle, Eamonn Cunneen; David Williams, Kevin Regan, Josh Coll; Eoin Keyes, Darragh McCormack, Peter Clarke. Subs: John Fry for J Coll (h/t), Andrew Shaw for K Regan (45), Jack Gillen for J Bermingham (65).