Spirited Westmeath undone by late Louth goal
Westmeath 0-18 Louth 1-17
Westmeath were slightly unfortunate not to secure a share of the spoils in this Allianz Football League Division 2 opening round clash against Louth at TEG Cusack Park yesterday (Sunday).
Despite disappointment over the narrow defeat, Westmeath's commendable performance with a new-look team offered plenty of encouragement.
Westmeath went into this game without a plethora of first choice players from the 2024 season and a Louth side which reached last year's All-Ireland quarter-finals was widely expected to claim victory. Ger Brennan's charges duly did so, but only just.
Ultimately, a stoppage-time goal by Louth substitute Sean Reynolds proved a crucial to the outcome. That goal gave Louth a 1-16 to 0-16 lead and although the outstanding Luke Loughlin (scorer of 12 points) cut the deficit with a two-pointer, the Wee County men sealed victory with a late pointed free from Sam Mulroy.
The impact of the Louth subs proved a telling factor. In addition to Reynolds pouncing for the game's only goal, accomplished midfielder Tommy Durnin and Daire McConnon (who contributed two points) made their presence felt.
The new rules recommended by the Football Review Committee came under the spotlight in league action for the first time last weekend and, based on this entertaining encounter, the overall impact will be positive. That said, one suspects there might be tweaks to some rules in the future.
There were several changes to Louth's starting line-up and, frustratingly for fans who purchased a match programme, six of the visitors' players wore a different number than indicated.
In contrast, Westmeath lined out as selected in what was Dermot McCabe's first competitive match in charge. Four Westmeath players made their first league starts - Enda Gaffney, Brian Guerin, Matthew Whittaker and Fionn O'Hara, while Conor McCormack was selected in a new goalkeeping role.
Scorers - Louth: S Mulroy 0-5 (1 2ptf, 2f); S Reynolds 1-0; P Lynch, C Downey, A McDonnell and D McConnon (1f) 0-2 each; R Burns 2pt; T Durnin and C Lennon 0-1 each. Westmeath: L Loughlin 0-12 (2 2pt, 1 2ptf, 3f); R Wallace 0-3; R Forde 0-2 (1f); S Smith 0-1.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Dan Corcoran, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Peter Lynch, Emmet Carolan, Craig Lennon; Dara McDonnell, Conor Grimes; Andy McDonnell, Ciaran Downey, Kieran McArdle; Ciaran Keenan, Sam Mulroy (captain), Ryan Burns. Subs: Tommy Durnin for Grimes (45 mins), Sean Reynolds for McArdle (45); Tadhg McDonnell for Carolan (51), Fergal Malone for D McDonnell (temp.); Pearses Grimes-Murphy for Burns (58), Daire McConnon for Keenan (62).
Westmeath: Conor McCormack; Jamie Gonoud, Charlie Drumm, David Giles; Enda Gaffney, Ronan Wallace (captain), Sam McCartan; Ray Connellan, Brian Guerin; Matthew Whittaker, Fionn O'Hara, Conor Dillon; Stephen Smith, Luke Loughlin, Robbie Forde. Subs: Kevin O'Sullivan for O’Hara (24 mins); Kieran Martin for Gaffney (51), Danny McCartan for Forde (54), Danny Scahill for Giles (64), Brían Cooney for Smith (69).
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).