Westmeath's promotion hopes dashed by last-gasp Wexford goal

Allianz Football League Division 3

Wexford 2-16 Westmeath 1-18

A devastating defeat for Westmeath as their promotion hopes were dashed at a resplendent Wexford Park today.

Substitute Sean Ryan emerged as the Wexford hero with a last-gasp goal which clinched promotion for his side and broke Westmeath hearts.

When Jonathan Lynam struck for a superb 56th-minute goal, it gave Westmeath a 1-16 to 0-11 lead and they looked to be in a very commanding position.

But Ryan's first goal gave Wexford renewed hope and with goalkeeper Darragh Brooks landing a brace of two-pointers from frees, Westmeath were left hanging on.

The visitors led 1-18 to 1-16 with time almost up but after TJ Cox fired the ball wide, Wexford launched one last attack. Wexford needed to win while a draw would have sufficed for Westmeath so only a goal would do for the home side.

Cian Hughes saw his attempt blocked but the ball fell invitingly for fellow sub Ryan, who gleefully swept it to the net, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Wexford supporters in the crowd of nearly 3,500.

With Niall Hughes an influential figure, Wexford had the edge at midfield in the first half bit Westmeath were effective on the counter attack and led 0-10 to 0-5 at half-time.

No more than the minimum separated the sides until the outstanding Matthew Whittaker's 25th-minute point put Westmeath 0-7 to 0-5 ahead. It was one of three white flags the Tubberclair player raised in the first half and he finished with 0-5.

The Westmeath midfield sector was boosted by the introduction of Ray Connellan early in the second half. And with Sam McCartan continuing to be an influential figure, Mark McHugh's charges looked the likely winners until Wexford's late smash and grab raid.

Ultimately, something that has dogged Westmeath throughout the league campaign – the concession of soft goals – came back to haunt them.

Missing out on promotion is a major blow for Westmeath who must now pick up the pieces ahead of the Leinster championship clash with Longford on Sunday, April 12.

Scorers - Wexford: S Ryan 2-0; S Nolan 0-5 (2f); Darragh Brooks 0-4 (2tpf); N Hughes and J Higgins 0-2 each; E Porter, P Hughes and M Rossiter (f) 0-1 each. Westmeath: M Whittaker and S McCartan (1tp) 0-5 each; J Lynam 1-0; L Loughlin and R Wallace 0-2 each; B Cooney, R Forde, S Allen and T Molloy 0-1 each.

Wexford - Darragh Brooks; Shane Doyle, Gavin Sheehan, Dylan Furlong; Liam O'Connor, Eoin Porter, Eoghan Nolan (captain); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Páiric Hughes, Cathal Kehoe, Jack Higgins; Tom Byrne, Mark Rossiter, Sean Nolan. Subs used: Sean Ryan Byrne (h-t); Glen Malone for Doyle (47 mins); Michael Kinsella for Kehoe (56); Cian Hughes for S Nolan (61).

Westmeath - Jason Daly; Danny Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Boidu Sayeh; Ronan Wallace (captain), Shane Allen, Matthew Whittaker; Sam McCartan, Jonathan Lynam; Kevin O’Sullivan, Danny McCartan, Brían Cooney; Conor Dillon, Luke Loughlin, Tom Molloy. Subs used: Tadhg Baker for Sayeh (inj., 26 mins); Robbie Forde for D McCartan (29); Ray Connellan for Dillon (43); TJ Cox for Molloy (52); Brandon Kelly for O’Sullivan (64);

Referee - Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).