Chris Óg Jones hat-trick keeps Cork tails up against Westmeath

Chris Óg Jones blasted 3-04 as Cork kept their Division 2 promotion hopes alive with an entertaining one-point victory over Westmeath.

The Uibh Laoire full-forward netted in the 14th, 52nd, and 67th minutes, with the latter strike providing a four-point cushion.

Ronan Wallace palmed home to make it a nervy finish but Cork held possession until the hooter.

For the visitors, young wing-back Matthew Whittaker scored one goal and created two, while the McCartan brothers, Danny and Sam, combined for four two-pointers.

Still, the Division 3 champions' relegation concerns grow after their third consecutive defeat.

John Cleary welcomed captain Brian Hurley, Ian Maguire, and Ruairí Deane back onto the bench after injuries although Seán Powter was a late omission due to a hamstring strain. Tommy Walsh took his place.

Dermot McCabe made two changes to his named team with Brandon Kelly and Lorcan Dolan replacing Enda Gaffney and Stephen Smith.

Cork raised fewer flags than Westmeath in the first half but thanks to a trio of two-pointers, they led 1-10 to 1-09 at half-time.

Brian O’Driscoll landed an early double as they raced into a 0-04 to nil lead. It should have been more only for Paul Walsh to blaze a one-on-one goal chance wide.

Westmeath punished that miss in the ninth minute when netting one of their own. Wallace’s powerful surge opened up the defence and Brían Cooney laid off for a Whittaker shot that just evaded Patrick Doyle’s grasp.

Another major Cork chance came from a Mark Cronin long-range attempt which rebounded off the post but Seán McDonnell’s shot was deflected around the upright by Jamie Gonoud’s sliding block.

They got their goal in the 14th minute after Seán Walsh won an opposition kick-out with McDonnell squaring for Jones