Westmeath have won their first senior football title, beating the much-fancied Cork 3-11 to 2-13 in the Division 2 final of the Allianz National Football League at Croke Park. Cork completely dominated the first-half of this tie, and enjoyed a 1-03 to 0-01 lead after just 10 minutes thanks to a goal from Mícheal Cronin. Larry Tompkins' men continued to look dangerous but surprisingly, it was Westmeath who scored the next goal. Dessie Dolan's flick down found Ger Heavin and he netted from close range. However, Cork responded quickly to subdue Westmeath's new-found vigour and they deserved their lead at the interval.
The game saw a complete turnaround in the second-half. Westmeath came back on the field with much more purpose and determination about their play and their more direct approach soon reduced the deficit to a mere two points. But Cork maintained their slender lead with several well-taken points and Heavin, Westmeath's goal-scorer in the first-half, had numerous chances to add to his tally but finally succeeded when he converted a penalty.
Fionan Murray scored another goal for Cork to keep them in the lead but two frees from Fergal Wilson along with a good point from Martin Flanagan left the sides level. Westmeath then scored their third goal to take the lead. Dessie Dolan and Heavin were involved in the build-up and it was David O'Shaughnessy who netted from the edge of the small box.
With just minutes remaining, Cork pressed forward to regain their advantage but it wasn't to be and Westmeath held out to take their first-ever senior title by the narrowest of margins.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
