Westmeath's Ronan Wallace moves in to challenge Wicklow's Joe Prendergast during the Allianz Football League Division 3 match at Echelon Park, Aughrim on Sunday. Photo: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Martin goal drives Westmeath to victory in scrappy affair

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Allianz Football League Division 3: Westmeath 1-13 Wicklow 0-10

Propelled by a great goal from veteran Kieran Martin in the 15th minute, Westmeath maintained their 100 per cent start to their Division 3 campaign with a six-point win over Wicklow in a largely scrappy game in Aughrim on Sunday afternoon.

The respective number 14s, Kevin Quinn (three points, including two frees) and Senan Baker (two frees), monopolised the scoring, before Martin found the net in style on the quarter-hour mark to put the visitors 1-2 to 0-3 ahead.

Dessie Dolan's charges always looked the more likely winners thereafter and they deservedly led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval.

One of Wicklow's half-time subs, Jack Kirwan, spurned a glorious goal opportunity within 30 seconds of the resumption of play, the ball coming back off the butt of the post, and corner back Malachy Stone was superbly thwarted by Westmeath goalkeeper Jason Daly some eight minutes later when a goal beckoned.

Buoyed by these let-offs, the Lake County men kept the scoreboard ticking over, with corner forward Danny McCartan kicking three points in his league debut.

Baker continued to convert most of his frees, and despite Quinn's best efforts at the other end, Wicklow - whose manager Oisín McConville was suspended - never threatened to garner their first league points of 2024.

Westmeath: Jason Daly; James Dolan, Charlie Drumm, Jamie Gonoud; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace (0-1), Conor Dillon; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; David Lynch, Ronan O’Toole (0-1), Jonathan Lynam; Danny McCartan (0-3), Senan Baker (0-6, 5f), Kieran Martin (1-1, 0-1f). Subs: Kevin Maguire for J Dolan (51 mins), Robbie Forde (0-1) for K Martin (55), Nigel Harte for J Lynam (55), Matthew Whittaker for C Dillon (60), Daniel Scahill for J Gonoud (67).

Wicklow: Shane Doyle; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, Paddy O’Keane, Eoin Murtagh (0-1); Dean Healy, Craig Maguire; Liam O’Neill, Eoin D’Arcy, Cathal Baker; Oisin McGraynor, Kevin Quinn (0-8, 7f), Cillian McDonald. Subs: Jack Kirwan for J Prendergast (half-time), JP Nolan (0-1) for Baker (h-t), Fintan O’Shea for C McDonald (55), Brian Nesbitt for L O’Neill (55), Conor Fee for O McGraynor (60)

Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan).

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