Westmeath save best until last

Westmeath reserved their best performance of the spring for the night that silverware was being handed out. After a shaky end to the league they found their mojo at Croke Park to shock favourites Down and take the Division 3 League title.

Though the result doesn’t guarantee them a place in the Sam Maguire series, it was the perfect boost ahead of their Leinster championship clash with Wicklow next Sunday.

Two goals from Jonathan Lynam and a man of the match performance from Sam McCartan, who hit two crucial 45s near the end and provided the assist for the second goal, were key factors in the Westmeath win. The Leinster side outscored their opponents 1-3 to 0-2 at the business end of the contest before an attendance of 12,148.

In contrast, it was a disastrous night for Down. This was their 12th successive loss in finals (league and championship) and their sixth in Croke Park since their All-Ireland final win of 1994. For the second time in nine months, Conor Laverty’s team flopped at HQ.

This loss, coupled with last season’s Tailteann Cup defeat to Meath, raises serious questions about the big match temperament of the team that Laverty is building. They will almost certainly have to reach the Ulster final to play in the Sam Maguire.

Kevin Martin and full-forward Ki er an Martin were late withdrawals from the Westmeath team — replaced by James Gonoud and Stephen Smith. Down made one change with John McGovern replacing Ryan Johnston.

Compared to the preceding Division 4 final, there was a noticeable increase in the tempo right from the throw-in. But whereas there was lots of honest endeavour, the end product was disappointing with just five scores in the first quarter.

Down looked more menacing up front though it was Westmeath who created the first goal chance after 25 minutes. A brilliant assist from Lynam put Ronan O’Toole through but he pulled his shot wide.

But Westmeath were not to be denied and it was Lyman who turned finisher, comfortably outjumping Down goalkeeper John O’Hare to fist a hanging punt from Robbie Forde to the net.

Down lead by 0-8 to 1-4 at the break and went two ahead. There was nothing to separate the sides going down the stretch but then two of Westmeath’s best players McCartan and Lynam combined before the latter found the net for the second time.

Down hung in but Westmeath were able to hang on for a win against the head.

Scorers — Westmeath: J Lynam 2-0, S McCartin 0-4 (2 45s), D Lynch 0-1. R Forde 0-3 (2f), L Loughlin 0-1 (1f), S McCartain 0-1 (1

45). Down: Pat Havern 0-7 (7f), L Kerr 0-3, O Murdock 0-1, M Rooney 0-1, O Savage 0-1 Down: J O’Hare; R McEvoy, P Fegan, P Laverty; F McElroy, D Magill, C Doherty; P Havern, J Flynn; M Rooney, D Guinness, L Kerr, J Guinness, D Murdock, J McGovern. Subs: O Savage for McGovern 39m, S Annett for J Guinness 44m, C Francis for F McElroy 53m, B O’Hagan for Rooney 60m, R Mason for Flynn 68m, Westmeath: J Daly; D Scahill, C Drumm; J Gonoud; S McCartan, J Dolan, D Lynch; R Connellan, J Lynam; A McCormack, R O’Toole, C Dillon; L Loughlin, S Smith R Forde. Subs: S Baker for Smith 45m, L Dolan for Loughlin

50m, M Whittaker for Dillon 53m, N Harte for Gonoud 60m, J Heslin for Forde 70 +1.

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)