McNicholas just nicks it in time

NHL DIVISION TWO Westmeath 3-14 Down 1-18: A LATE goal from Derek McNicholas ensured Westmeath escaped relegation at Ballycran.

Westmeath had dominated the first half and led by 2-8 to 0-6 at the interval, their goals coming from McNicholas and Eoin Price shortly before the break.

Both teams lost a player in first-half added time, Down’s Simon Wilson and Alan Dowdall both receiving second yellow cards.

Down produced a run of 1-4 without reply, including a 57th minute goal from Connor O’Prey, to go ahead by 1-15 to 2-10.

The final 10 minutes were tense as Westmeath battled back to draw level, then Down pulled two points clear before McNicholas’s decisive score in added time.

DOWN: K Keating; F Conway, S Murray, S Ennis; S Wilson (0-3, all frees), R McGrattan, M Ennis; A Savage (0-1), K McGarry; C O'Prey (1-0), C Woods (0-2), B Ennis; J Coyle (0-7, six frees), C Coulter, P Keith (0-2). Subs: S Clarke for B Ennis (24 mins), E Clarke for Coulter (h-t); P Braniff (0-3, one penalty)for McGarry (45 mins). Blood sub: S Conlon for Keith (58-60).

WESTMEATH: B McLoughlin; C Jordan, P Greville, G Gavin; J Shaw, A Mitchell (0-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 '65'),D McCormack; E Price (1-1), L Smyth; J Clarke, B Murtagh (0-8, 0-6 frees), A Dowdall; C Curley (0-1), D McNicholas (2-2), D Carthy. Subs: P Gilsenan for Carthy (58 mins), R Jackson for Curley (73 mins).

Referee: Ray Matthews(Antrim).