National Football League Division 3 round-up

A slender win over Offaly earned Westmeath promotion from Division 3, with Louth also set for Division 2 football next year following their one-goal victory over Waterford.

The Westmeath v Offaly encounter at Cusack Park was finely balanced, until the hosts emerged as 0-19 to 2-11 victors. DIT student Bernard Allen claimed both of Offaly's goals either side of half-time.

Allen cut loose for the opening goal after just five minutes to give his side a 1-01 to 0-01 lead, but Westmeath took control to take a 0-12 to 1-6 interval lead, despite having a goal cancelled out for a square ball.

Dessie Dolan and Paul Sharry landed good scores for a Westmeath side who lost Denis Glennon through injury in the 25th minute. Allen delivered his second goal midway through the second half to cut the deficit to the minimum.

Westmeath forged ahead but a Brian Darby score made it a one-point game with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Nonetheless, Westmeath snaffled an insurance point to make sure of victory, promotion and a league final berth.

At Fraher Field in Dungarvan, a Ronan Carroll goal was the difference as Louth ran out 1-11 to 0-11 winners over Waterford.

With 10 minutes remaining, relegation was staring Peter Fitzpatrick's charges in the face, with other results going against the Wee County outfit.

However, a Paddy Keenan-inspired Louth dramatically raised their game in the closing stages and scored the final seven points to secure a memorable victory.

Carroll's goal tied the game at 1-02 to 0-05 at the end of a low-scoring first half, with Waterford performing strongly on the restart.

The Deise opened up an 0-11 to 1-04 lead, but the dismissal of Tony Grey with 13 minutes remaining proved costly as Louth took the verdict.

Elsewhere, a brace of first half goals helped Limerick to a 2-12 to 0-14 win over Wexford at Newcastle West.

The Treaty men led by 2-07 to 0-05 at the interval, with Ger Collins netting an early penalty goal

Daithi Walters saw red for Wexford. Limerick had a second goal from half-forward Seanie Buckley after a superb burst from 80 metres out.

Meanwhile, Cavan finished off their league campaign by beating Tipperary 0-16 to 0-13 at Kingspan Breffni Park today.