Westmeath stun Model as Tribesmen march on
WEXFORD look set to miss out on advancing from the Leinster SHC round robin after they were held to a draw by previously pointless Westmeath in Mullingar.
A stoppage-time goal from veteran substitute Derek McNicholas earned the hosts a 2-15 to 0-21 stalemate as they now face Laois next weekend to determine who retains Liam MacCarthy Cup status.
Westmeath were well in touch at the interval when they trailed by the minimum, 0-12 to 1-8, with Niall Mitchell netting their goal.
Wexford should have put the game to bed in the second period but registered an overall total of 21 wides before McNicholas had the final say.
Galway, meanwhile, enjoyed a 22-point victory over Laois at O’Moore Park yesterday when their 2-37 to 0-21 success made it three Leinster SHC wins on the bounce and sealed their progression to the All-Ireland series.
Conor Cooney was the Tribesmen’s top scorer with eight points, five of which came from frees, with second-half goals from Conor Whelan and Joe Cooney making it a tough day for Laois.
The Midlanders remain pointless after four rounds and are now braced for that relegation showdown with Westmeath.
It wasn’t looking good for the hosts after nine minutes when they found themselves 0-9 to 0-1 in arrears with Cathal Mannion leading the charge for Henry Shefflin’s men.
Still, Laois stuck to their task and late points in the opening period from James Keyes ensured they were only 0-18 to 0-12 in arrears at the interval.
Any hopes of a comeback, however, were quickly dashed on the restart when the men in maroon hit four points on the trot.
And it was game over after just ten minutes of the second period when Whelan raised a, green flag while Cooney’s late goal ensured an emphatic win for the visitors.