Westmeath find extra gear again to see off Cavan in Mullingar

May 30, 2026

Westmeath's Brandon Kelly celebrates a score against Cavan in extra time ©INPHO/James Crombie

Westmeath hit another gear in the second-half of extra time to defeat Cavan by 1-31 to 3-21 in this evening’s thrilling All-Ireland SFC first round clash in Mullingar.

Having led by nine points at one stage, the Leinster champions conceded Paddy Lynch and Paddy Meade goals in the second-half that saw Cavan forcing extra time and the first of the added periods would see Dara McVeety sending in the visitors’ third goal as they went up by six.

The second-half would belong to Mark McHugh’s side however, as they hit 1-7 unaswered, including a Kevin O’Sullivan goal, as they earned victory in extra time for the third consecutive game in this year’s championship to move into the Round 2A section of Tuesday morning’s draw.

Having captured their first Leinster title in 22 years two weeks ago, Westmeath came into this sell-out clash at TEG Cusack Park as favourites and, after being held by the Breffni men for the first 20 minutes or so, they pushed towards a double scores half-time lead (0-12 to 0-6) with the help of scores by Brandon Kelly, Matthew Whittaker and Sam McCartan (two-pointer).

The Lake men landed the first three scores of the restart via McCartan (free), Senan Baker and Ronan Wallace, but two Tiaran Madden frees (one two-pointer) and a well-taken goal by Lynch brought Cavan right back into contention come the 47th minute.

Conor Casey came off the bench to sail over a two-pointer for Dermot McCabe’s team before fellow substitute McVeety trimmed the deficit down to one.

Kelly and Forde shot points at the other end to try and steady Westmeath’s ship, but Meade’s rebounded goal brought the sides level and points from Whittaker and Kelly down the home stretch would be erased by another Casey effort from beyond the arc that saw the scoreboard reading 0-22 to 2-16 come Paddy Neilan's full-time whistle.

Cavan, soundly beaten by Monaghan in the Ulster quarter-finals six weeks ago, saw McVeety netting either side of a pair Darragh Lovett two-pointers in the first-half of extra time. However, the Blues couldn’t stop the barrage from the Leinster champions in the second period that included two-pointers from Baker and Wallace sailing over Liam Brady’s crossbar ahead of ‘Man of the Match’ Kelly pointing and John Heslin, who tacked on two late frees, turning over possession to set-up Kelly who put O’Sullivan in for the clinching goal.


Most Read Stories

Saturday's football and hurling championship results

"It's sort of like a home away from home"

New York claim Nickey Rackard Cup with victory over Tyrone

Tyrone triumph over Derry to 27th Ulster MFC crown

GAA says fixing All-Ireland minor finals before senior deciders "not currently feasible"