Campbell sends brave Westmeath crashing out
STEFAN CAMPBELL finally put Westmeath out of the Championship in the sixth minute of added-time at Cusack Park in Mullingar as Armagh advanced to the next round.
It was a sensational Round 2B qualifier. Armagh had Jamie Clark black carded after 72 seconds but regrouped after Ethan Rafferty netted a late goal.
Paul Sharry scored the first-half goal for Westmeath with the game tied 1-4 to 0-7 at the break, but at that stage Armagh’s James Morgan was also gone with a black card.
Then 15 minutes from time Gregory McCabe was issued with a red card by referee Padraig O’Sullivan.
But Armagh were resolute and despite giving away 36 frees they came back at Westmeath, and Tom Cribbin’s side were left to rue ten second-half wides, and black cards for Mark McCallon and John Egan.
John Heslin kicked two early points as Westmeath wrestled back the initiative following Clarke’s black card when he tangled with Jamie Gonoud.
But Campbell and Gavin McParland replied while they took control in the second quarter with points from McParland, Rory Grugan (two) and Stephen Sheridan putting Armagh 07 to 0-3 in front.
Morgan was also gone from the field at that stage — he was involved with Sharry off the ball — and Sharry hit a crucial goal for Westmeath on the half-hour following a move involving McCallon and Frank Boyle.
It was level at the break and Heslin slotted two points at the start of the secondhalf. Aidan Forker drew Armagh level in the 47th minute, before McCabe got sent-off when he collided with Sam Duncan eight minutes later.
Oisin O’Neill settled Armagh and even tough Alan Gaughan hit back Niall Grimley passed to Rafferty in the 75th minute and he applied the finish. Campbell ensured there would be no comeback.