John Heslin leads Westmeath rout of abject Antrim

Westmeath kept in contention for promotion to Division 2 with a surprisingly facile win against a very disappointing Antrim side in Mullingar.

A 31-point winning margin did not flatter the Lake County, who came into the game with two wins and two narrow defeats from their first four games.

Division 3 looks like it will go right down to the wire to decide what two teams will be promoted.

Westmeath totally dominated the first half despite Antrim having the aid of a slight wind. John Heslin scored the first five scores of the game by the 16th minute, his 1-04 consisting of three converted frees and 1-01 from play. The goal was finished under pressure from close range on 12 minutes after good work by Ronan O'Toole and Senan Baker.

The home team led by 1-06 to 0-00 when Antrim pounced for their opening two points courtesy of Pat Shivers and Odhran Eastwood. Two more Heslin frees ensued at the other end before Sam Duncan teed up Baker, the son of Clare hurling legend Ollie, who scored a great solo goal in the 28th minute.

Conor Stewart kicked Antrim's third point but with Luke Loughlin in fine form and Heslin bringing his first half tally to 1-09, Westmeath led by 2-12 to 0-03 at the interval.

Dessie Dolan’s charges scored their third goal just 15 seconds after the resumption of play, Heslin picking out David Lynch who found the net in style.

The one-way traffic continued throughout the second half with O’Toole dictating play in the forward line, scoring four points in the process.

Conversely, Andy McEntee’s men failed to raise a gallop at any stage and they never threatened to get a goal which might give them a lift.

Westmeath’s fourth goal came in the 68th minute when O’Toole played in his St Loman’s colleague Sam McCartan, a