No problems for Westmeath

Westmeath 3-36 Wicklow 1-6

Westmeath secured their Christy Ring Cup status for 2010 as the Lake County sauntered to a comprehensive 36-point win over Wicklow in this promotion/relegation play-off at Clane this afternoon.

Johnny Dooley's charges were in flying form as the Garden County, minus recently-retired veteran star player Don Hyland, played second fiddle throughout.

Eager to bounce back from defeats in the previous two games, last year's Christy Ring Cup finalists laid down a firm marker from the start of this game.

Brendan Murtagh was back to his usual scoring form and bagged an impressive tally of 1-11 to claim the top-scorer tag in his highly one-sided encounter.

It did not take long for Murtagh to find his scoring groove and he claimed his side's first goal when he dispatched an eighth-minute free to the back of the Wicklow net.

Murtagh, who managed six points from play, helped his side to a 1-19 to 1-2 lead at the break.

Substitute Ciaran Curley added a second goal for the winners on the restart before Noel Conaty grabbed a high ball, turned and finished neatly in the 60th minute to bulge the net and crown a routine win.