NHL DIVISION TWO: Down 4-14 Westmeath 3-15:FOUR UNANSWERED points in second-half injury-time secured Down their third win in Division Two at Cusack Park, Mullingar.
Two goals from frees by Brendan Murtagh helped the home side to a 2-8 to 1-5 interval lead, Paul Braniff’s reply for Down came from a penalty.
Down’s Scott Nicholson teed up Gareth Johnson for a well-taken goal before Murtagh completed his hat-trick in the 46th minute.
But Gareth Johnson pounced for his second goal and four late points sealed a hard-earned win.
DOWN: K Keating; M Hughes, C Coulter, S Ennis; C O'Prey, J Merron, M Ennis; A Savage, K McGarry (0-1); B Ennis (0-5), S Clarke (0-1), J Coyle; S Nicholson (0-1), P Braniff (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-5 frees), G Johnson (2-1, 0-1 free). Subs: C Mageean for Coyle (47 mins); D Hughes (1-0) for Braniff (inj, 56 mins), A Clarke for Nicholson (60 mins), A O'Prey for Coulter (inj, 67 mins).
WESTMEATH: C Scally; C Flanagan, D McCormack, A McGrath; E Price (0-2), A Mitchell, P Gilsenan; J Gilligan, N Flanagan; R Whelan (0-1), B Murtagh (3-9, 2-5 frees), C Curley (0-2), A Devine (0-1), N Dowdall, A Craig. Subs: C Mackey for Gilligan (56 mins), D Golden for McGrath (inj, 69 mins).
Referee: D Hughes (Carlow).
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