Westmeath 2-24
Wexford 2-11
Jackie Cahill reports from Croke Park
WESTMEATH CLAIMED A first Allianz League title since 2008, storming to a 13-point victory over Wexford at Croke Park in today’s Division 4 decider.
Not since Division 2 victory over Dublin nine years ago have the Lake County lifted a League crown but there was no doubting their superiority at sun-splashed Croke Park this afternoon.
John Heslin led the way with eight points and there was a man-of-the-match performance from Kieran Martin, as Tom Cribbin’s men got the job done.
In the penultimate group game of the competition, Westmeath hammered Wexford by 3-24 to 0-9, and they recorded another big win today.
Westmeath were well in control at half-time, leading by 1-11 to 1-4.
The sides had been level at 0-3 each before Westmeath collected 1-4 without reply to put real daylight between the sides.
The goal arrived in the 16th minute, captain Ger Egan rolling home a penalty after James Dolan was taken down by Paul Curtis, who somehow managed to avoid sanction when it appeared to be a black card offence.
Soon after, Daithí Waters was booked, when referee Paul Fallon could have opted for red after the Wexford captain struck out at Kelvin Reilly.
Having been rocked back on their heels, Wexford responded well as Kevin O’Grady, one of their better players, slalomed through for a fine goal at the Hill 16 end, buried into the corner with his left boot.
The goal chances continued to come, Shane Roche keeping out Westmeath’s man-of-the-match Kieran Martin before Roche’s opposite number, Darren Quinn, denied PJ Banville.
Following the Wexford goal, Westmeath regained a firm grip on proceedings, outscoring their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1 approaching the break.
Westmeath picked up where they had left off in the second half and from a long way out, the result of this game was never in doubt.
The lead increased as the second period wore on and Wexford would have to finish the game with 14 players when Conor Carty was black-carded with six minutes left, and all six substitutes used.
Both teams emptied the bench and replacements had big impacts as Shane Dempsey scored a bizarre late goal for Westmeath, his shot somehow creeping into the net past Roche at the goalkeeper’s near post.
There was a late consolation goal for Wexford sub Donal Shanley, scorer of 1-2 after coming on, but Westmeath had a 17-point lead approaching the finish before taking the foot off the pedal.
Scorers for Westmeath: John Heslin 0-8 (5f), Ger Egan 1-2 (1-0 pen), Shane Dempsey 1-1, Kieran Martin 0-4, Paul Sharry & Tommy McDaniels 0-3 each, John Connellan 0-2, Kelvin Reilly 0-1.
Scorers for Wexford: Kevin O’Grady 1-1, Ciarán Lyng 0-4 (3f), Donal Shanley 1-2 (0-1f, 0-1 45), PJ Banville 0-2, Michael Furlong & Daithí Waters 0-1 each.
Westmeath
1. Darren Quinn (Tyrrellspass)
6. Kevin Maguire (Caulry)
2. Mark McCallon (Garrycastle)
4. Jamie Gonoud (Tyrrellpass)
7. James Dolan (Garrycastle)
17. Killian Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks)
5. Noel Mulligan (Athlone)
8. Alan Stone (Castledaly)
9. Ger Egan (Tyrrellspass)
10. Kelvin Reilly (St Lomans Mullingar)
11. Paul Sharry (St Lomans Mullingar)
12. David Lynch (St Malachys)
13. Kieran Martin (Maryland)
14. John Heslin (St Lomans Mullingar)
15. Tommy McDaniels (Ballinagore)
Subs
24. Denis Glennon (Tyrrellspass) for Daly (49)
26. Shane Dempsey (St Lomans Mullingar) for McDaniels (52)
21. Denis Corroon (Mullingar Shamrocks) for Stone (56)
22. John Egan (Athlone) for Mulligan (57)
23. John Connellan (Athlone) for Martin (62)
25. Callum McCormack (Maryland) for Lynch (66)
Wexford
1. Shane Roche (Geraldine O’Hanrahans)
7. Ronan Devereux (Crossabeg Ballymurn)
3. Jim Rossiter (St Fintan’s)
4. Michael Furlong (Adamstown)
2. Brian Malone (Shelmaliers)
5. Eoghan Nolan (Shelmaliers)
10. Kevin O’Grady (St James Ramsgrange)
8. Daithí Waters (St Martin’s)
9. Colm Kehoe (Cloughbawn)
6. John Leacy (Glynn-Barntown)
11. Ben Brosnan (Castletown)
12. Paul Curtis (Clongeen)
13. Ciarán Lyng (St Martin’s)
14. John Tubritt (Fethard)
15. PJ Banville (Horeswood)
Subs
22. Conor Carty (Castletown) for Curtis (30)
18. Adrian Flynn (Gusserane O’Rahillys) for Leacy (h.t.)
25. Michael O’Regan (Glynn Barntown) for Devereux (h.t.)
26. Donal Shanley (St Fintan’s) for Brosnan (43)
20. Joey Wadding (St Fintan’s) for Tubritt (51)
19. Tiarnan Rossiter (St Mary’s Rosslare) for Nolan (56)
Referee – Paul Fallon (Down)
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Go on the dubs! Take that, "kingdom", or whatever ye call yerselves…
Well done Dublin great game.
Well done to the Tipperary minors and to the Dubs. Football just got interesting again!! :))
The jacks are back, well done Dublin fantastic team effort and thank fully we just edged a close game with Kerry.
Living as I do approx 3 miles from SAMs ancestral home I much prefer for the cup named after him to be temporarily resident in Dublin rather than Kerry. Well done the Dubs.
Well done to Dublin. They best team on the day & great comeback against us. To be the best, you got to beat the best
Bless the Dubs, O Lord we pray, keep them on their winning way. Bless the colours, worn with pride, from Ballybough to Stepaside. Bless the banners and the flags, not to mention all the gags. Bless Gilroy too, the uncrowned king, let his name around Croke Park sing. Bless Bernard Brogan in the square, kicking points from everywhere. Bless Cluxton too, that agile ace, who guards his goal with style and grace. Bless the man with all the go, the dashing, dauntless, Cullen yoo. Bless the fans, that faithful throng, keep their voices loud and strong. Bless next All-Ireland final day, be sure the Dubs will rule OK
Well done, damn ye!
McMenamin made some impact when he came on! Great performance by the Dubs, fully deserved to win! Coppers will be hopping tonight!
Gutted, but fair play to the dubs.They played to their potential, and we didn’t. Agus sin e.
Kerry will win I’d say, Dublin will be fair disappointed to come away with nothing, not even the minor!
What the hell was wrong with Cluxton? running down the tunnel and not joining in the celebrations and generally looking miserable after the match and in the hotel on the Sunday game…whats up there??
As much as I’d love a Dublin win, I think Kerry will be too clinical towards the end. Conditions have opened it up a bit though.
Gee Adrian!
Even from Kathmandu… I reckon you photo caption needs adjustment!
COME ON THE DUBS GREAT WIN