McCartan masterclass seals Westmeath's Division 3 title

Jonathan Lynam was the two-goal hero as Westmeath heaped yet more final misery on Down by capturing the Allianz League Division 3 title.

Down haven't won a final in either the league or Championship at Croke Park since 1994 and will be frustrated that they didn't end that barren spell as they led approaching the hour mark.

But Lynam's second goal and a tour de force from Man of the Match Sam McCartan added up to a significant win for Des Dolan's side who finished with gusto.

McCartan played a key role in that second goal for Lynam and then converted two 45s to make sure that Westmeath took the silverware.

It was an impressive late surge from Westmeath who bounced back from last weekend's surprise Round 7 defeat to Sligo.

They will be back in action next weekend and if they beat Wicklow in the opening round of the Leinster SFC will play for a fifth consecutive weekend after that.

It's more disappointment for Down who suffered a similar feeling to last year when they were beaten by Meath in the Tailteann Cup final.

Conor Laverty's side will seek to bounce back when they play Antrim in the Ulster SFC in Newry on April 13.

Jersey numbers meant little to the Division 3 table toppers who had Odhran Murdock, wearing number nine, contesting the throw-in before immediately moving to the full-forward position where he remained for the first-half and was marked by Charlie Drumm.

Pat Havern, with number 14 on his back, contested both throw-ins next to Murdock and stayed mostly in the middle third while number 13 Danny Magill, named on last year's Tailteann Cup Team of the Year at left half-back, started in the half-back line.

Down ultimately sought to defend in numbers and to capitalise on their pace by hitting Westmeath hard on the break