Longford finish strong to dent Westmeath's hopes of promotion

Westmeath's promotion hopes were dealt a severe blow in cold but pleasant conditions at TEG Cusack Park as relegation-threatened Longford deservedly won the midlands derby by an unflattering four-point margin.

Debutant Jack Duggan set up Longford’s marquee player Mickey Quinn, whose participation was in doubt right up to the 11th hour, for a goal chance in the fourth minute, but Jason Daly pulled off a fine save.

Alex Gardiner nudged Westmeath ahead in the eighth minute before the respective number 9s, the outstanding Darren Gallagher and Jonathan Lynam, traded points.

John Heslin untypically missed two good chances, including a free, but points from Sam McCartan, Heslin and Lorcan Dolan put the home team ahead by 0-5 to 0-1 with 17 minutes on the clock.

Wind-assisted Longford responded with a couple of fine frees by Gallagher before Joseph Hagan’s low-trajectory shot in the 25th minute was superbly saved by Daly at the expense of a point.

A great point from Gardiner on the half-hour mark was the highlight of the second quarter, but Longford availed of several turnovers to finish the half strongly. Late points from Dylan Farrell (a free) and Hagan (his third of the contest) put the visitors ahead by 0-08 to 0-07 at the end of an error-ridden first half.

Senan Baker, the 18-year-old son Clare hurling legend Ollie, was one of two half-time subs introduced by Jack Cooney, but the youngster was off target with a few efforts.

Nigel Harte equalised a mere 15 seconds after play resumed. Three minutes later, Westmeath spurned a great opportunity of a goal when Dolan was fouled in the large parallelogram, but Heslin’s weak penalty was saved by Paddy Collum.

Heslin soon compensated with a great point, but the Lake County men were not to