Super-sub Conor Turbitt denies Westmeath shock win

Super sub-Conor Turbitt bagged the all-important goal two minutes from time to rescue two valuable points for Armagh against an impressive Westmeath, the Orchard County triumphing 1-13 to 1-12.

Some 10, 842 fans at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds roared the Orchard on in the closing stages as they were chasing a game that Dessie Dolan's Westmeath had controlled for large periods.

Rian O’Neill’s shot dropped short and Andrew Murnin leaped highest to break the ball down to Turbitt who soccer-styled it into the net to put Armagh ahead.

Westmeath weren’t done as John Heslin steered over an equaliser but scores from Murnin and the busy Ciaran Mackin were enough to get Armagh over the line.

Westmeath can take plenty of positives into their game against Galway in Mullingar on

Saturday, with their goal-scorer Ronan O’Toole, Luke Loughlin and full-back Kevin Maguire particularly impressive.

Armagh can be content that they pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat, but they have left much room for improvement ahead for their clash against rivals Tyrone in the lion’s den of Healy Park next week.

Westmeath led by a goal at the break, O’Toole finished neatly past goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty after a clever flick-on from Stephen Smith, who received the ball from Heslin.

That gave Westmeath and 1-01 to 0-02 lead and the Midlanders kept possession for long periods which frustrated Armagh. O’Neill, Rory Grugan and Stefan Campbell struck Armagh’s first-half points, but they left 1-04 behind them, while Westmeath’s scores came from Loughlin, Sam McCartan and O’Toole.

Westmeath had nothing to show for all the possession they had in the opening stages of the second half as Murnin picked off a big point after 49 minutes.

From there, the scores went tit-for-tat