Westmeath 0-14 Galway 0-13:A WELL-TAKEN point from Paul Bannon in the fifth minute of injury-time gave Westmeath an unexpected, but deserved, win in Mullingar yesterday – their first in the league this season.
Galway had wind advantage in the first half, but were quite fortunate to be on level terms (0-6 each) at the break.
Teenage midfielder John Heslin, just back from a stint with Richmond Tigers in Australia, was on form from frees, but his colleagues wasted a number of good chances from open play, particularly a glorious opportunity of a goal which fell to Ger Egan in the 22nd minute.
Galway also relied on Michael Martin from placed balls to keep in touch as their new-look team failed to gel to any great degree.
There was never more than two points between the sides and the tit-for-tat scoring continued on the change of ends. However, Alan Mulholland’s charges looked very likely to take the points when they led by 0-13 to 0-11 with three minutes of normal time remaining.
But Westmeath dug deep and fired over three points via Denis Glennon, John Heslin, and Bannon’s dramatic winner.
WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; M Curley, K Gavin, K Maguire; D McDermott, P Sharry (0-1), A Finnan; J Heslin (0-7, 7f), P Bannon (0-1); K Martin, G Egan (0-1), P Sheridan (0-1); A Giles, M Ennis, David Glennon (0-1). Subs: C McCormack (0-1) for Sheridan (55 mins); Denis Glennon (0-1) for Giles (56 mins).
GALWAY: M Breathnach; K McGrath (0-1), F Hanley, K Kelly; G Bradshaw, J Duane, G Sice; N Coleman (0-1), J Bergin; C Doherty (0-1), P Conroy (0-2), M Hehir (0-1, f); M Martin (0-4, 4f), N Joyce, D Cummins (0-2). Subs: D Burke for Joyce (half-time); G Higgins for Martin (48 mins); S Armstrong (0-1) for Hehir (50 mins); G ODonnell for Bergin (57 mins).
Referee: D Gough (Meath).
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