Down 2-17
Westmeath 0-10

Down demolished 14-man Westmeath in Mullingar to edge closer to promotion.

Jim McCorry's charges made it four wins from five to go three points clear of the chasing pack and leave themselves within touching distance of a return to the top flight. Leading by 0-9 to 0-4 at half-time, they ended the game as a contest with two quick-fire goals from Arthur McConville and Donal O'Hare early in the second half.

Westmeath, whose confidence took a battering when they shipped four goals against Meath last weekend, finished the game with 14 players after full back Kevin Maguire was dismissed on a second yellow card midway through the second half. Ger Egan (Westmeath) and Kevin McKernan (Down) were also black-carded.

The Mournemen signalled their intent by racing into an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead through scores from Mark Poland and the impressive McConville (two). The hosts lost Darragh Daly to injury - he was replaced by David McCormack - as further points from Poland (two), Donal O'Hare, McKernan and Darragh O'Hanlon eased Down into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead after 22 minutes.

Shane Dempsey and Callum McCormack ('45') replied with Westmeath points, but they were fortunate not to be more than five points adrift at the break after McConville fisted against the post.

John Heslin left four points in it with a free on the restart, but that was as close as the home side would get. Conor Laverty fisted a point before McConville and O'Hare netted in the 44th and 45th minutes to propel the Ulster side into a 2-11 to 0-5 lead.

The result was never in doubt after that as Down coasted to victory.

Down - S Kane; G Collins, L Howard, D Turley; P Devlin (0-1f), D O'Hanlon (0-2), C Maginn; P Turley, R Mallon; C McGovern, K McKernan (0-1), M Poland (0-3); C Laverty (0-4), A McConville (1-2), D O'Hare (1-4, 0-1f). Subs: M Magee for R Mallon, A Carr for M Poland, C Mooney for K McKernan (BC), J Johnston for A McConville, P Downey for D Turley, R McGarry for C Laverty.

Westmeath - G Connaughton; M McCallon, K Maguire, K Daly; P Sharry, K Martin, P Holloway; D Daly, R Connellan (0-1f); C McCormack (0-2, 1'45), G Egan, J Gonoud; D Glennon, J Heslin (0-4, 3f, 1sl), L Smyth. Subs: D McCormack for D Daly, S Dempsey (0-3) for L Smyth, F Boyle for P Holloway, J Gilligan for G Egan (BC), J Connellan for C McCormack.

Referee - J Hickey.

Tweet

Most Read Stories