NFL Division 2: Royals edge out unlucky neighbours
A Stephen Bray point four minutes into injury-time broke Westmeath hearts in Navan last night as Meath scraped a dramatic NFL Division 2 win.
Meath 1-12
Westmeath 2-8
Brendan Hackett's embattled Westmeath side came from seven points down to lead with time almost up before David Bray equalised for the Royals. Referee Jimmy White signalled two minutes of stoppage-time and when Westmeath were awarded a free 35 metres out, they looked set to claim a famous victory.
But Athlone's Paul Bannon, who had accounted for all of the Lake County's first half scores, sent his shot wide and it seemed Meath had a escaped with a draw. However, White allowed play to restart and Meath worked the ball down the field for Bray to fire over the winner with the last kick of the game, much to the home supporters' delight and relief.
The Royals were rampant in the first half and but for eight wides, would have been out of sight at the break. Joe Sheridan gave them a dream start with a goal after four minutes and Jamie Queeney (two frees) and David Bray tagged on points to make it 1-3 to 0-0 after 20 minutes.
But Westmeath were then thrown a lifeline when dual player Paul Greville was fouled in the square, and Bannon made no mistake with his spot-kick before adding a point seconds later. However, Meath responded with five unanswered points to take a 1-8 to 1-2 lead into the interval.
The switch of Michael Ennis to the attack brought about a huge improvement in Westmeath's play and they went on to dominant the second half. Points from Greville, Bannon and sub Philip Gilsenan had reduced the deficit to three points, 1-6 to 1-9, before Gilsenan set up Ennis for the equalising goal in the 59th minute.
Westmeath edged in front before the Bray brothers came to Meath's rescue.
Scorers - Meath: D Bray 0-5, 1f, S Bray 0-4,, J Sheridan 1-0, J Queeney 0-2, 2fs, S Kenny 0-1.
Westmeath: P Bannon 1-3, 2fs, M Ennis 1-2, P Greville 0-2, 1f, P Gilsenan 0-1.
Meath: D Lyons; N McKeigue, J Macken, E Harrington; C O'Connor, B Regan, S Kenny; N Crawford, M Ward; A Moyles, J Queeney, O Lewis; D Bray, J Sheridan, S Bray. Subs: N Mooney for Lewis (61 mins), S McAnarney for Kenny (62 mins).
Westmeath: G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Gaffey; D Harte, M Ennis, D Healy; D O'Donoghue, D Duffy; P Bannon, J Smyth, R Doolan; T Warburton, P Greville, G Hoey. Subs: S Bracken for Duffy (32 mins, injured), G Flanagan for Smyth (36 mins), W Murtagh for Doolan (50 mins), P Gilsenan for Warburton (55 mins), W Coyne for Boyle (70 mins, injured).
Referee: J White (Donegal).
