Tipp come good to hold off spirited Westmeath

A stoppage-time own goal from keeper Noel Conaty saw Tipperary survive a late scare against Westmeath and move closer to a place in the Allianz Hurling League semi-finals.

Two Mark Kehoe goals in the space of a minute put Tipp on course for their third win on the spin before being withdrawn at half-time.

They had led by 14 points with 19 minutes remaining but Westmeath, who pushed Limerick to the pin of their collar last time out, created havoc with long balls in the second half.

Niall Mitchell was the target and David Williams the major beneficiary, scoring 2-12 and seeing a penalty saved by Rhys Shelly.

They closed the gap to four entering two added minutes before Conaty spilled the ball into his own net under pressure after saving from Jason Forde.

In a team featuring 14 changes from the victory over Galway, Liam Cahill gave League debuts to David Kelly, Seán Hayes, and Fitzgibbon Cup winner Cathal Quinn, a first start to Billy Seymour, and first appearances of 2024 to Dan McCormack, Noel McGrath, and Forde.

An early-season tune-up for some, a final chance to impress for others as Cahill expects to trim his panel in the coming week.

Forde had hit 2-20 between Tipp's two recent victories over Westmeath and he added 0-12 (11 frees) to that record, while Conor Stakelum contributed 0-06 from play in front of 1,962 fans at Semple Stadium.

Tipp ran up the first four points without appearing in full flow; the best of the bunch a superb Kehoe catch and run which flashed just over the crossbar.

Manager Joe Fortune and a Westmeath sideline official were both yellow-carded by referee Seán Cleere soon after for some over-zealous protests.

Tipp almost had a goal when Hayes played in Quinn but Conaty’s outstretched leg deflected the sliotar