Westmeath 0-9 Donegal 1-13: DONEGAL HAD to overturn an early five-point deficit to defeat Westmeath, with a brilliantly-taken goal from left-half back Kevin Cassidy in the third minute of the second half proving to be the crucial score of the afternoon.

The home side took the initiative from the throw-in and they raced in to a 0-5 to 0-0 lead by the 14th minute, with highly-rated full forward Denis Glennon scoring three points and making another.

However, Donegal settled at this juncture and they were just a point in arrears at the break, Westmeath edging it by 0-6 to 0-5.

Team captain Cassidy’s great strike from 25 metres gave Gary Connaughton no chance within three minutes of the resumption, giving the visitors a lead they never looked likely to relinquish.

Donegal controlled most of the second half and their full-forward line started to take scores in great style.

A 44th-minute injury to Denis Glennon greatly reduced Westmeath’s firepower, even if the former All-Star nominee managed to return late in the game and chip in with his fifth point.

Colm McFadden’s accuracy ensured that Donegal always had a bit in hand and John Joe Doherty’s charges were thoroughly deserving winners.

WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; D Healy, M Ennis, J Gaffey; G Egan, D O'Donoghue, D Harte; D Duffy, S Bracken; T Warburton, P Greville (0-2, frees), J Smyth; G Hoey (0-1), D Glennon (0-5, one free), C Lynam. Subs: A Finnan for Warburton, P Bannon for Glennon, W Murtagh for Gaffey, R Doolin (0-1)for Bracken, D Glennon for Hoey.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; J Keeney, N McGee, P McDaid; O Waide, F McGlynn, K Cassidy (1-0); F McNulty, N Gallagher; K Lacy, D Walsh (0-1), L McLoone; A Hanlon (0-2), C McFadden (0-6, three frees), M Murphy (0-3, two fees, one 45). Subs: C Dunne (0-1)for McDaid, S Griffen for McLoone, A Thompson for Waide, B Monaghan for McNulty.

Referee: C Reilly(Meath).