Tyrone stay in All-Ireland despite draw with Westmeath

Tyrone remain in the All-Ireland Football Championship race despite a Ray Connellan free securing Westmeath a draw in a very entertaining game played in pleasant conditions in Kingspan Breffni Park.

John Heslin could have won it for Westmeath only to spurn a late set piece.

Westmeath, who more than justified their inclusion in the Sam Maguire over the course of their three round robin games, almost got off to a sensational start, with overlapping centre half back Ronan Wallace spurning a glorious goal chance after 30 seconds when he was bottled up by defenders.

The hard-working Sam McCartan put the underdogs ahead in the second minute and it needed Darragh Canavan's third point – his first from play – to nudge the 2021 All-Ireland champions ahead for the first time in the 12th minute, .

A brace of Heslin frees put Dessie Dolan’s troops ahead again with 21 minutes played.

Westmeath led by 0-05 to 0-04 when Conn Kilpatrick was denied what looked a certain goal by a great save from Jason Daly in the 28th minute.

Pádraig Hampsey also scuffed a great goal opportunity on the half-hour mark. Fine free-taking by Luke Loughlin had Westmeath on level terms (0-06 apiece) heading towards the end of normal time.

A Peter Harte free nudged the Red Hand County ahead, but points in injury-time from Loughlin (a difficult free) and McCartan (the last kick of the half) had the Lake County in front by 0-08 to 0-07 at the interval.

Ruairí Canavan equalised 90 seconds after the resumption of play.

Westmeath failed to capitalise on two half-chances of goals and this proved costly as Darragh Canavan continued his fine form at the other end, both from frees and open play, and he opened the first two-point lead of the contest (0-13 to 0-11) in the 48th