Rodgers brace sees Derry shock 12-man Westmeath

Derry 3-11 Westmeath 0-08

Westmeath’s problems began when Derry’s Patrick McCloskey goaled after just three minutes. Then Niall O’Brien was dismissed for a straight red card offence in the 20th minute and just a minute later a long delivery by Derry’s Brendan Rodgers ended up in the Westmeath net.

Derry led 2-8 to 0-4 at half-time but there was no comeback by the home side and a second Rodgers goal in the 64th minute sealed Derry’s win.

Westmeath also had Liam Varley and Aaron Craig sent off in the final seven minutes.

Scorers for Derry: B Rodgers (2-2), A Grant (0-6, 5fs), P McCloskey (1-0), D O’Neill, O McCloskey, T McCloskey (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Westmeath: N Conaty (0-3, 2fs), D McNicholas (0-2, 1f), N O’Brien (f), A McGrath, R Greville (0-1 each).

DERRY: D McDermott; M Warnock, A Rafferty, E McGuckin; R McCloksey, L Hinphey, K Hipney; O McCloskey, S McCloskey; B Rodgers, P McCloskey, A Grant; J O’Dwyer, D O’Neill, C Convery.

Subs: P Cleary for D O’Neill (50), T McCloskey for J O’Dwyer (59), T McCloy for C Convery (65), S McCullagh for A Grant (68).

WESTMEATH: P Maloney; L Varley, T Doyle, P Fennell; G Greville, A Craig, P Layde; D Fennell, P Gilsenan; R Greville, D Gavin, C Curley; N O’Brien, A McGrath, N Conaty.

Subs: T Gallagher for P Fennell (inj, 22), D McNicholas for N Conaty (42), P Reilly for C Curley (49).

Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny).