Last-gasp miss allows Cavan to beat Westmeath by a point

Cavan 1-15 Westmeath 1-14

Niall McDermott's second-half goal proved the boost Cavan needed as they finally inflicted a 12th competitive defeat in a row on Westmeath.

Paul Bealin's side led by a point at half-time after a competitive opening half, but once McDermott hit the net after 42 minutes, the home side made the most of their wind advantage at Breffni Park.

John Gilligan goaled 12 minutes from time for Westmeath, which kick-started their comeback, but Eugene Keating's point soon after for Cavan settled the home side.

Westmeath's John Heslin missed a late free to put just a point between the sides with two minutes to go, while his injury-time free with the last kick of the game trimmed the winning margin to one point.

Playing without the suspended Martin Dunne and Fergal Flanagan following their Ulster championship clash with Armagh, Terry Hyland's Cavan will be delighted to reach the second round of the qualifiers.

The home side looked the sharper side early on and led by a point after half an hour, but points from Callum McCormack and Ger Egan turned the game in Westmeath's favour as they led by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time.

After McDermott's punched goal early in the second-half it appeared as if they would cruise to a facile win against a side low on confidence and without the injured Doron Harte, Alan Giles and Denis Glennon.

Cavan managed to work their way into a seven point advantage soon after, but following Gilligan's goal in the final quarter, both Kieran Martin and Paul Sharry pointed for Westmeath in the closing stages to set up the great escape.

But Heslin missed a vital close-in free in the final moments, which proved crucial and denied Westmeath the chance of extra-time and gave Cavan the victory they deserved.

Scorers:

Cavan: N McDermott 1-2 (0-2f), J Brady 0-3 (1f), M Lyng 0-3, M Argue 0-2, E Keating, G McKieran D Giviney, J Hayes, R Maloney-Derham 0-1 each.

Westmeath: J Gilligan 1-0, P Sharry 0-3 (2f, 1f), C McCormack 0-3, J Heslin 0-3 (3f), Dessie Dolan 0-2, G Egan 0-2, K Martin 0-1.

Cavan: C Gilsenan; J McLoughlin, R Dunne, K Brady; J Hayes, J McEnroe, R Maloney-Derham; D O’Reilly, G McKieran; M Argue, M Lyng, N McDermott; J Brady, D Giviney, M Reilly.

Subs: E Keating for Givney 52, T Corr for D O’Reilly 59, C Mackey for Lyng 63, A Clarke for McDermott 70, M McKeever for K Brady, black card, 70.

Westmeath: S Gallagher; Damian Dolan, J Gilligan, K Maguire; J Dolan, K Gavin, P Sharry; G Egan, D Duffy; K Martin, A Burke, Dessie Dolan; C McCormack, J Heslin, L Smyth.

Subs: A Coffey for Burke 40, R Foley for Smyth 47, D Corroon for Duffy 58, D Glennon for Gavin 60.

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).