2024 Allianz Football League Division 3 – Westmeath 1-11 Clare 0-13

Westmeath defeated Clare by 1-11 to 0-13 in Round 2 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 on Sunday February 4th at TEG Cusack Park Mullingar.

Dolan happy to get the breaks as Westmeath pip Banner

Westmeath 1-11 Clare 0-13

Report by Gerry Buckley for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan said he would “take a bit of luck any day of the week” after his side had eked out a somewhat fortunate one-point win against Clare in a dramatic game played in very windy conditions in Mullingar.

The very strong wind in Mullingar favoured Clare in the first half, but Westmeath had total control of the ball for the opening four minutes and were rewarded with a soft goal from Conor Dillon, whose point attempt was deflected into the net. However, the home team only scored once more during the remainder of the half courtesy of Ronan Wallace. They also shot five poor wides, with Dolan saying afterwards that they “had butchered several of them”.

For their part, the Banner County men were much more economical, with Dermot Coughlan particularly impressive at wing forward and he fired over a hat-trick of quality points. Ciaran Downes also scored three points, including a ’45’ in the seventh minute. Arguably the best point of the half was a wonderful long-range shot from goalkeeper Stephen Ryan in the 19th minute. Clare deservedly led by 0-10 to 1-1 at the interval.

Lorcan Dolan was black-carded within a minute of the resumption of play and it took Westmeath a long time to settle with the wind behind them. Indeed, they only scored two points in the third quarter via O’Toole and Loughlin (a free), while Aaron Griffin’s well-taken point in the 48th minute kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors. When Alan Sweeney pointed in style in the 59th minute, Clare looked set to pick up their second set of league points.

However, Dessie Dolan’s charges then had a purple patch and they kicked six points without reply, including a brace from Sam McCartan (the first of them with his fist). Westmeath now led by a single point (1-10 to 0-12) with 67 minutes on the clock.

Coughlan soon picked up his second yellow card of the afternoon before the fourth official signalled a minimum of six minutes’ added-time. Brian McNamara rifled over a great equaliser and the game looked set to finish level when the home team spurned two good chances, including a McCartan ’45’. In the fourth minute of injury-time, Mark Fitzgerald’s troops had a ‘goal’ disallowed, Cormac Murray’s slapped effort from point-blank range ruled out for a square ball. Westmeath made the most of this let-off when All Star nominee Ronan O’Toole kicked a superb winning score. There was still time for Westmeath sub Matthew Whittaker to be black-carded for a cynical foul.

Understandably, Dolan commended his players for “their spirit when their backs were to the ball”. His opposite number Fitzgerald said his men were “gutted” and “should have taken something out of the game”. He added that his forwards were adamant that Murray’s late ‘goal’ should have counted.

Scorers – Westmeath: R O’Toole 0-3, C Dillon 1-0, S McCartan, L Loughlin (2f) 0-2 each, R Wallace, R Connellan, R Forde (f), K Martin (m) 0-1 each.

Clare: D Coughlan, C Downes (1‘45’) 0-3 each, E McMahon 0-2 (2f), S Ryan, A Sweeney, D Walsh, B McNamara, A Griffin 0-1 each.

Westmeath: J Daly; J Dolan, C Drumm, J Gonoud; S McCartan, R Wallace, C Dillon; R Connellan, A McCormack; D Lynch, R O’Toole, J Lynam; L Loughlin, S Baker, L Dolan
Subs: J Smith for J Dolan (42 mins), E Mulvihill for Dillon (48 mins), K Martin for Baker (53 mins), R Forde for L Dolan (53 mins), M Whittaker for Lynam (61 mins).

Clare: S Ryan; M Doherty, R Lanigan, M Garry; I Ugweru, A Sweeney, D Walsh; G Murray, B McNamara; D Coughlan, E McMahon, C Downes; M McInerney, A Griffin, S Griffin
Subs: C Rouine for McInerney (half-time), E O’Connor for Rouine (inj., 48 mins), C Murray for S Griffin (62 mins), F Ginnane for Ugweru (69 mins).

Ref: D Murnane (Cork).

Team News

The Clare side named for Sunday’s visit to Mullingar where they take on Westmeath in Round 2 of the @AllianzIreland Football League.

Throw in is at 2pm and Match Tickets are available at https://t.co/h0Oyi83GhD

Up the Banner 💪🟡🔵🟡 pic.twitter.com/A13yvNf2AF

— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) February 3, 2024

Westmeath (NFL v Clare): J Daly; J Dolan, C Drumm, J Gonoud; S McCartan, R Wallace, C Dillon; R Connellan, A McCormack; D Lynch, R O’Toole, J Lynam; L Loughlin, S Baker, L Dolan.