A strong finish saw Derry defeat Westmeath by 1-18 to 0-15 in this entertaining clash at Croke Park.

The sides were level going into injury time, but Derry hit 1-3 in the final few minutes to take the victory. The scoreline didn't do justice to Westmeath, who were impressive throughout.

Derry hit six wides during the first half, while Westmeath had four in what was an entertaining opening 35 minutes. The Oakleafers started strong and raced into a four point lead, but once Westmeath started to get to grips with midfield, they came storming back and looked to be heading in at half time with a healthy lead, until Derry upped the tempo and reeled off three points to leave it all square at the break.

The first attempt of the match fell to Westmeath wing back James Dolan after 30 seconds, but his effort drifted wide of the post. The midfield battle was going to be crucial to the outcome of this match and Patsy Bradley made a fine start with an outstanding catch which led to a Derry free that was put wide by Eoin Bradley.

Derry followed this up with another wide when Benny Heron had a go from distance, but the ball went right of the post and wide.

It was the fourth minute when the first score came when Charlie Kielt passed to his fellow wing back Sean Leo McGoldrick and he pointed. A minute later Eoin Bradley opened his account for the afternoon with a fine effort from play. Then it was 0-3 to 0-0 by the seventh minute after midfielder Ryan Bell pointed a close range free and the lead was stretched to four points when Bradley kicked a free off his left.

Derry were well on top in the middle of the park during these early exchanges and Westmeath needed to start winning some ball in this area if they were to get back into the game.

Denis Glennon's first involvement in the game saw him earn on the 13 metre line and John Heslin kicked over at ease to finally get the Leinster side off the mark after eleven minutes.

Kevin Maguire had been detailed to pick up Eoin Bradley and it seemed as if the Westmeath defender was being harshly treated by the referee as he was deemed to have fouled the Derry forward for what looked an innocuous looking challenge. Bradley tapped over the point to make it 0-5 to 0-1 by the 14th minute.

Westmeath opened their account from play a minute later when after some good defending they worked their way up to field and Ger Egan finished with a fine point. However, Bradley was causing a number of problems in the Westmeath defence and he score a good point from play after he turned smartly and slotted over the bar, 0-6 to 0-2, 18 minutes played.

Heslin responded with a free from 45 metres out to leave just three between the sides, even though Derry were enjoying the lion's share of the possession. They followed this up with an inspirational point from Callum McCormack, who after realising that he had no options inside him, let fly from 45 metres on the Cusack side and the ball sailed over the bar.

Derry had the first goal chance seconds later when Enda Lynn bore down on the Westmeath goal, but the wing forward opted to tap over the bar, instead of going for the goal. Heslin kicked a point from play to make it 0-7 to 0-5 by the 24th minute.

McCormack added another to make it a one-point game as Westmeath began to find their rhythm.
Kieran Martin missed a close range free, but the sides were level soon after when Egan kicked a fine point from play. Heslin put Westmeath in front shortly after with another free and this was followed by an excellent score by Ciaran Curley, 0-9 to 0-7 with five minutes of the half remaining.

This was a real purple patch for the Lake County and Glennon got in on the action with a massive point from the right wing to make it five unanswered points for Pat Flanagan's charges. Certainly, the midfield battle was now being won by the Westmeath men and this was the launch pad for their strong finish to the half.

Derry finally stopped the rot when James Kielt scored from play to reduce the gap to two points with just two minutes left in the first half. They followed this up with points from Raymond Wilkinson and Kielt again to leave the scores level at half time, 0-10 to 0-10.

Glennon kicked an excellent score in the first minute of the second half to get the action underway once again, but Daniel Heavron responded for Derry almost immediately. There was a long delay in play when Wilkinson got injured after he challenged for the ball with John Gaffey and the Derry forward had to leave the field by stretcher with what looked like a knee injury.

Glennon saw an attempt come back off the post as the players got back into the action, but apart from this, there was very little to report on during this ten minute period. Nonetheless, Derry worked the ball in and substitute Coilin Devlin will be disappointed to have seen his shot blocked out for a '45 and Heron kicked the placed ball over the bar, 0-12 to 11.

Westmeath supporters let a loud cheer when Dessie Dolan was introduced for Kieran Martin, but the lack of atmosphere in Croke Park was evident through, even though in fairness to both teams, they gave it their all.

Dolan didn't take long to make his mark when he fired over after being set up by his cousin James. A minute later he put Westmeath in front again with a point off his left, 0-13 to 0-12, with 13 minutes remaining.

Gerard O'Kane broke forward to level matters for Derry, although many would have felt that he should have went for goal with only Gary Connaughton to beat. The Oakleafers were back in front when Kielt kicked his third point of the match with just eight minutes remaining. Ciaran McFaul made it a two-point game with five minutes remaining.

Dolan responded for Westmeath and we were set for a tense final few minutes. An excellent Heslin free from a tight angle levelled matters once again. Bell put Derry in front in the 70th minute, but there was four minutes of added time and Kielt hit his fourth to put two points between the sides.

A goal right at the end for Derry by Emmet McGuckin was followed by a point form the same player, which was to be the last action of the match.

Derry - E McNicholl; A McAlynn, C McKaigue, G O'Kane (0-1); C Kielt, M Lynch, S L McGoldrick (0-1); P Bradley, R Bell (0-2, 1f); D Heavron (0-1), J Kielt (0-4), E Lynn (0-1); B Heron (0-1f), E Bradley (0-4, 2f), R Wilkinson (0-1). Subs: C Devlin for Wilkinson, C McFaul (0-1) for Heavron, E McGuckin (1-1) for E Bradley, L Kennedy for Heron.

Westmeath - G Connaughton; J Gaffey, K Maguire, M McCallon; D Harte, P Sharry, J Dolan; D Duffy, J Heslin (0-5, 4f); G Egan (0-2), C McCormack (0-2), K Martin; D Corroon, C Curley (0-1), D Glennon (0-2). Subs: Dessie Dolan (0-3) for Martin, K Gavin for McCallon, Damian Dolan for Corroon, L Smith for Curley.

Referee - C Lane. Tweet

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