Dolan the destroyer as Westmeath stave off Wexford

Westmeath 2-15 Wexford 1-14

A two-goal blast from substitute Shane Colleary and the outstanding Dessie Dolan in the closing quarter, heralded Westmeath’s triumphant progress to a Leinster football final against Mick O’Dwyer’s Laois and ended Wexford’s bid for a provincial ‘double’.

Colleary and Dolan struck with efficiency when it appeared that Wexford, after a dreadful start, might add another scalp to their collection in front of 21,933.

Westmeath, who scorched into an eight-points lead after just 20 minutes, always looked like clinching their place in the final, but credit is due to Wexford for hauling themselves back from the brink of embarrassment.

Wexford froze in the opening sequences as they allowed Westmeath to ride rough-shod over them. Westmeath drilled over a litany of points with wing-backs Michael Ennis and Derek Heavin adding their contributions as Wexford stood transfixed and outplayed. A splendid point from a free by captain Mattie Forde in the ninth minute was the only respite as Westmeath continued to pound them into submission.

It was 0-9 to 0-1 after 21 minutes - but then the game underwent a dramatic transformation. Wexford, after their nightmare start, gradually became more relaxed on the ball, and wrested control from a side that looked out of sight even at this early stage.

Westmeath, their confidence and exuberance deflating by the minute, failed to score again in the first half, while Wexford, inspired by the skills of Forde, emerged as contenders for the first time approaching the interval.

As their renaissance took fire, Wexford were dreadfully unlucky not to have poached a much-needed goal. Corner-forward Jason Lawlor was denied by a brilliant save from Westmeath goal-keeper Gary Connaughton and then Mattie Forde had a shot from the edge of the square with the goal-keeper all at sea, blocked down by corner-back John Keane. Undeterred by these set-backs, Wexford, with Forde and Lawlor excelling up front, went in trailing by 0-9 to 0-4 at the break, and still left to harbour hopes of another giant-killing act.

Although Westmeath had the psychological boost of an Alan Mangan point 30 seconds after the re-start to stretch his side’s lead to six points, Wexford proceeded to play their best football of the afternoon. With poise and controlled aggression, they carried the game to Westmeath and scores from the Forde brothers, Matty and Pat, left just three points between them.

Now the fat was really sizzling and Wexford were looking to the brilliance of Matty Forde, Westmeath to Dessie Dolan to steady things.

Both players responded in admirable style to the challenges and for a time it looked as if the result would hinge on the outcome of the Forde-Dolan shoot-out. It was fascinating stuff.

Forde kicked some of the most superb points seen at Croke Park since the stadium was redeveloped, as Wexford strove to get on level terms, while Dolan, with some crucial scores from play and frees, kept Westmeath to the forefront when the battle for supremacy was really raging.

Then came the defining moments. There were still only three points in it, with 15 minutes remaining. Out of the blue, substitute Colleary ran on to a long ball, falling behind the Wexford defence to shoot home a picture of a goal.

Another substitute, Colin Galligan, set up Dessie Dolan for a second goal and Westmeath were through to a final meeting with Laois and a fascinating scenario of a Kingdom sideline duel between Mick O’Dwyer and Paidi Ó Sé.

Although it was all over bar the shouting, with Westmeath 2-15 to 0-12 in front, with just five minutes of normal time remaining, Wexford refused to lie down.

Mattie Forde set up Jason Lawlor for a goal. Wing-forward David Fogarty followed with a point. But then to compound a day of emotions for Wexford, Forde, the most glittering jewel in their crown, was sent off.

Earlier, he had been yellow-carded for dissent. This one looked like a straight red card after he tackled a defender in an off-the-ball incident. If he is missing for the qualifiers, Wexford’s fate will be sealed.

Never mind. A pointed free by substitute John Hegarty brought them within five points, but time ran out and Westmeath, cushioned by their great start and their match-winning goal strikes from Colleary and Dolan, were through to the final.

Scorers: Westmeath - D. Dolan 1-7 (0-5 from frees), S. Colleary 1-0, A. Mangan, B. Morley, D. Glennon 0-2 each, M. Ennis, D. Heavin 0-1 each. Wexford: J. Lawlor 1-1, M. Forde 0-8 (0-4 from frees), P. Forde 0-2, J. Hegarty 0-2 (0-1 from free), D. Fogarty 0-1.

WESTMEATH: G. Connaughton; J. Davitt, D. O’Donoghue, J. Keane; M. Ennis, D. Healy, D. Heavin; G. Dolan, D. O’Shaughnessy; B. Morley, P. Conway, D. Mitchell; A. Mangan, D. Glennon, D. Dolan. Subs: S. Colleary for G. Dolan, C. Galligan for Mitchell, J. Fallon for Morley, J.P. Casey for Glennon.

WEXFORD: J. Cooper; D. Breen, P. Wallace, N. Murphy; R. Barry, D. Murphy, L. O’Brien; P. Colfer, W. Carley; D. Fogarty, J. Hudson, P. Forde; J. Lawlor, D. Foran, M. Forde. Subs: J. Hegarty for Foran, D. Browne for Hudson, R. Hassey for P. Forde.

Referee: J. White (Donegal).