Allianz Football League Division Three

LOUTH 2-7 WESTMEATH 1-10

By Dan Bannon at the Gaelic Grounds

Stalemate in Drogheda was enough for Westmeath to gain promotion ahead of direct opponents Louth in a high drama encounter at the Gaelic Grounds

The Division Three re-fixture turned out to be a de facto league semi final and the tension showed in the contest throughout. Two penalties for each side in the second half alone, saw to that, as the game went down the wire.

Westmeath’s promotion was borne out of efficiency up front on the day, through Ger Egan’s placed balls, Luke Loughlin’s three precious scores from play and huge turnovers at the back that summed up their entire campaign.

Poignantly the midlanders held out for a draw after Ryan Burns levelled with Louth pushing hard for victory after John Heslin nudged Westmeath in front with minutes to play.

Ciaran Downey illustrated Louth’s confidence surge after their surprise away win to Down the week previous. The Newtown Blues centre forward gave Louth the perfect start with the game’s first two scores and indeed all three of Louth’s opening points.

Luke Loughlin pulled one back, before Ger Egan got himself up and running with a free to level the game. The opening quarter was played at a frantic pace, championship pace and it suited Louth. Westmeath then began to get their defensive structure in place to slow the game down.

Westmeath midfielder Sam Duncan landed a long range point to make it 3 points a piece, yet Louth were about to open up the defensive bloc.

Louth captain Bevan Duffy was the man to do so, finding the back of the net with a neat one-two. Ger Egan and Sam Mulroy swapped free’s however Louth on the back of the goal led 1-4 to 0-5 at the half time whistle.

Westmeath this time got the perfect start to the half. Top scorer Ger Egan buried a penalty after John Heslin was fouled when he was about to pull the trigger.

Jack Cooney’s side looked to be over reliant on Egan’s dead balls at the time as they struggling to create openings from play. Despite their misgivings in front of the posts they took the lead 1-6 to 1-5.

Just as the game started to turn the Lake counties way, Louth were awarded a penalty themselves. Jim McEneaney powerfully finding the back of the net with the look of promotion about it.

Westmeath instead raised it another gear with three successive scores. Egan free, Denis Corroon and Loughlin’s third. That matching sequence gave the lead their system craved.

James Craven and Ryan Burns found the target either side of John Heslin’s sublime score. Having an indifferent game the St Loman’s man stood up when his side needed him most.

On a knife edge, Louth finished with fourteen men as Tommy Durnin received his marching orders. Westmeath hung on for promotion and a League final place next Saturday against another Leinster side Laois.

Scorers for Louth: Ciaran Downey 0-3 (1m), Jim McEneaney 1-0 (1-0 pen), Bevan Duffy 1-0 James Califf, Sam Mulroy (f), Ryan Burns and James Craven 0-1 each

Scorers for Westmeath: Ger Egan 1-4 (1-0 pen, 4f), Luke Loughlin (0-3, 3f), John Heslin, Sam Duncan and Denis Corroon 0-1 each

LOUTH: Fergal Sheekey; Fergal Donohoe, Emmet Carolan, James Craven; Anthony Williams, Bevan Duffy, John Clutterbuck; Tommy Durnin, James Califf; Jim McEneaney, Ciaran Downey, Conor Branigan; Andy McDonnell, Sam Mulroy, Declan Byrne.

Subs: Ryan Burns for D Byrne 44; Eoghan Duffy for A McDonnell 49; Conor Early for J Califf 54; Ross Nally for S Mulroy 59; Conall McKeever for J McEneaney 61.

WESTMEATH: Eoin Carberry; Ronan Wallace,Kevin Maguire, Boidu Sayeh; James Dolan, Frank Boyle, Killian Daly; Denis Corroon, Sam Duncan; Jack Smith,Ger Egan, Ronan O’Toole; Kieran Martin, John Heslin, Luke Loughlin.

Subs: Noel Mulligan for J Smith 23; Joe Halligan for L Loughlin 63.

REFEREE: Sean Laverty (Antrim)