Westmeath SFC final being broadcast live on TG4

Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC Final preview

Today’s Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC Final (2pm TEG Cusack Park) between St Loman’s Mullingar and The Downs is being broadcast live on TG4 and will be available on the TG4 Sport Player.

In the Westmeath Examiner previews of the big match, John Heslin said St Loman’s will have to be at their best if they are to wrestle the Paddy Flanagan Cup from The Downs.

Ian Martin and Luke Loughlin, joint-captains of The Downs, Luke Loughlin said the spice of Westmeath county teammates going up against each other is "probably more for the supporters, I'd say - you're not really too worried about anyone else, because if you start worrying about someone else, you're cooked. You've just got to focus on yourself. It's exciting, especially to play against who we're going to be playing against.”

“I think any game we've played against Loman's, they've always been good games. They've always been high-scoring encounters. There's always been maybe a little bit of drama."

The Downs are the defending champions and favorites today, but St Loman’s have battled their way back to a final, when it was not looking so good two months ago.

TEG Cusack Park at 2pm, in front of the TG4 cameras, is ready and a large crowd is expected.

Tickets on sale here: https://westmeathgaa.ie/tickets/ and at SuperValu.

Looking back to 2024 final - St Loman's claim penalty shootout victory

A Shane Dempsey goal gave St Loman's, Mullingar a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at half-time in the 2024 Westmeath SFC final, but The Downs produced a fine second half display to earn a draw and force extra-time.

Luke Loughlin's penalty goal proved a crucial score as the teams finished level (1-10 apiece) at the end of normal time and in extra-time, they still could not be separated. An Ian Martin goal ensured The Downs led at the midway stage of extra-time, but it ended all square. In the penalty shootout, Sam McCartan, Ronan O'Toole and John Heslin each found the net, while goalkeeper Jason Daly made some telling saves as The Downs were denied.

St Loman’s, Mullingar: Jason Daly; David Whelan, Darragh O’Keeffe, Oisin Hogan; Kelvin Reilly (0-2), Eoghan Hogan, Sam McCartan (0-1); Jack Geoghegan (0-1), Fola Ayorinde (0-1, mark); Rory Sheahan, Ronan O’Toole (0-2), Sean Flanagan (0-1); Danny McCartan (0-1), John Heslin (0-5, five frees), Shane Dempsey (1-0).

Subs: TJ Cox (0-1) for Dempsey (inj., 38), Kevin Regan for Sheahan (45), Enda Gaffney for Ayorinde (51), Peter Foy for D McCartan (e/t, 5), Nathan Lally for O Hogan (e/t, 10), Danny McCartan for Geoghegan (e/t, 20).

The Downs: Trevor Martin; Peter Murray, Charlie Drumm, Eanna Burke; Joe Moran, Ciaran Nolan, Oisin Murphy; Jonathan Lynam, Conor Coughlan; Ian Martin (1-2), Andrew Kilmartin (0-1), Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1); Luke Loughlin (1-5, 1-0 pen; one free; one '45'), Niall Mitchell (0-1, free), Padraig Martin (0-1).

Subs: Oisin Loughlin for Coughlan (inj., 13), Andrew Shaw for Murray (40), Matthew Cunningham (0-1) for P Martin (54), Danny O’Callaghan for Murphy (60+1), O Murphy for Moran (e/t, 5).

Ref: Barry Pierce (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge).