WESTMEATH 0-18
TYRONE 0-18
A performance laden with commitment and resilience, one which merited a maiden championship victory, will give just cause for future optimism as the Westmeath senior footballers agonisingly exited the All-Ireland series following a pulsating draw with Tyrone in Breffni Park, Cavan, on Sunday afternoon.
Requiring a win to advance to the preliminary quarter final stage of the competition, Westmeath maintained a strong presence in the game throughout and despite trailing by three points after 69 minutes, reeled their opponents in to restore parity as the game reached its conclusion. Talisman, John Heslin, had the opportunity to ensure the Lake County progressed to the knockout phase of the championship, but his injury time free narrowly floated wide of the target.
This final act of the game was an extremely harsh outcome for Westmeath, the team’s reputation most definitely enhanced from their All-Ireland series championship performances when so many had afforded the Lake County little chance of imposing their play on proceedings over the course of the three round robin fixtures.
Two of the team’s three fixtures were evenly contested with Westmeath to the scoreboard fore in all their All-Ireland series contests. Arguably, they controlled proceedings for the majority of the game against Armagh and were extremely unfortunate to lose by the minimum. In their second outing against Galway the teams were level when Ray Connellan was dismissed on a second yellow card, while on Sunday, the players displayed immense character to draw a fixture in which they were trailing with 70 minutes played - certainly a case of the old adage “if only” when manager, Dessie Dolan and his management team reflect upon championship 2023.
Reflecting upon proceedings in Breffni Park on Sunday, John Heslin, once again Westmeath’s top scorer in the championship kicked eight points and he was suitably complemented in the forward line by Luke Loughlin who pointed on four occasions over the duration.
Sam McCartan was also to the scoring fore, the second of his brace of points ensuring Westmeath held scoreboard sway upon the shrill of the half time whistle. Failing to make an imprint on first half proceedings, Tyrone raised their levels in the second period and when they attained a four point lead with 15 minutes remaining, it seemed certain that the All Ireland 2021 champions would further extend that margin.
However, Westmeath refused to wilt, Ronan O’Toole in playmaker mode, his forward probings creating space for Kieran Martin and Senan Baker points as thoughts turned towards a possible victory for the Lake County. Momentum now with Westmeath allowed Ray Connellan to float over the levelling score in customary mode, but the outcome most desired was not realised as Heslin’s injury time free just tailed right of the upright much to the disappointment of the travelling Westmeath contingent.
There is no time for the players to rest this week as they must regroup and immediately turn their focus to the club championships which throw in this weekend. Team manager, Dolan, and his backroom team will no doubt be in attendance at the club championship games to come as they aim to unearth fresh player impetus to build upon what, despite the failure to earn promotion from Division 3, a progressive season for the Lake County.
