Loman's and The Downs deadlocked in Westmeath thriller

Pulsating draw in the Westmeath SFC decider

Westmeath's John Heslin kicked six points for St Loman's. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Westmeath SFC final: St Loman's, Mullingar 1-13 The Downs 1-13 

St Loman's, Mullingar and The Downs, champions for the past two years in Westmeath, must meet again after a pulsating draw in ideal conditions for football in Mullingar.

John Heslin opened the scoring with a superb point before turning provider five minutes later when his probing cross was fielded by Fola Ayorinde who turned smartly before firing past Trevor Martin.

The Downs responded with a brace of points from Ian Martin before taking the lead when Niall Mitchell fed Luke Loughlin and the Westmeath star duly buried the ball in the top corner of Jason Daly’s net.

Most of the points scored during the remainder of the first half were of a high quality. Two of St Loman’s came from Sam McCartan – a long-range strike from play and a 50-metre free from the ground with the last kick of the half which edged his side in front (1-6 to 1-5).

A point each from the McCartan brothers, Danny and Sam, increased the reigning champions' lead after the resumption. Another fine point by Sam had his side three up. But the 2022 Leinster finalists equalised with a point apiece from Kevin O'Sullivan, Loughlin and Charlie Drumm. A Heslin brace (a free and a wonderful score from play) nudged St Loman's two clear, but Andrew Kilmartin and Mitchell quickly responded.

The hitherto-subdued Ronan O'Toole superbly nudged the Mullingar men ahead with four minutes remaining. Sub Nathan Lally was almost in on goal for the holders, but he was dispossessed and Loughlin levelled with a free at the end of the ensuing counterattack. 

Loughlin converted a tricky injury-time free to put The Downs ahead, but Eoghan Hogan calmly equalised with time almost up.

Scorers for St Loman's: J Heslin 0-6 (3f), S McCartan 0-4 (1f), F Ayorinde 1-0, D McCartan, R O'Toole, E Hogan 0-1 each.

The Downs: L Loughlin 1-5 (4f), I Martin, A Kilmartin 0-2 each, C Drumm, C Coughlan, K O'Sullivan, N Mitchell 0-1 each.

ST LOMAN’S: J Daly; D Whelan, D O’Keeffe, O Hogan; E Gaffney, E Hogan, S McCartan; J Geoghegan, K Regan; F Ayorinde, R O’Toole, S Flanagan; D McCartan, J Heslin, P Foy. 

Subs: TJ Cox for Foy (42), K Reilly for Regan (46), N Lally for Ayorinde (52).

THE DOWNS: T Martin; P Murray, C Drumm, E Burke; J Moran, C Nolan, O Murphy; J Lynam, C Coughlan; I Martin, A Kilmartin, K O’Sullivan; L Loughlin N Mitchell, P Martin. 

Subs: D Egerton for Murray (42), A Shaw for P Martin (52), K Smullen for Egerton (inj., 60+1).

Ref: E Kelly (Castledaly).