Heslin stars as St Loman’s squeeze past Old Leighlin
Once again John Heslin was St Loman’s trump card. Heslin bagged a goal in the first half as the Mullingar side went in trailing at the break, by 1-5 to 1-6, after Cathal Coughlan had scored Old Leighlin’s goal in the 20th minute when his initial penalty had been saved by Stephen Gallagher.
In a tight, tense, hard fought second half, the sides were level at 1-9 each with eight minutes left before Old Leighlin goalkeeper James Clarke converted a 45.
However, a fisted point by Jason O’Toole in the 58th minute, followed by an injury-time Heslin free, secured victory for the Westmeath champions, who will now face the Dublin champions in the Leinster quarter-final.
Scorers for St Loman’s Mullingar: J Heslin (1-6, 0-4 frees), P Sharry (0-2, 1 45), S Dempsey, K Reilly, J O’Toole (0-1 each).
Scorers for Old Leighlin: C Coughlan (1-4), S Kinsella (2fs), P Hickey (0-2 each), J Clarke (45), H Gahan (0-1 each).
ST LOMAN’S: S Gallagher; S Gilmore, S Flynn, A Carroll; P Dowdall, G Glennon, D Whelan; C Kilmurray, B Murphy; E Price, K Reilly, W McGovern; P Sharry, J Heslin (capt), S Dempsey.
Subs: J O’Toole for A Carroll (15), G Hickey for B Murphy, (50, inj).
OLD LEIGHLIN: J Clarke; R Burke, Michael Meaney, G Hickey; E Fitzgerald, J Hayden, B Hayes; D Dowling, H Gahan; D Bambrick, P Hickey, Michael Meaney; C Coughlan, W Minchin, S Kinsella.
Subs: M Brennan for Micheal Meaney (full back) (25), S Kennedy for Micheal Meaney (half forward) (43), S Daly for R Burke (50).
Referee: Gary McCormack (Dublin).
