Westmeath manager Jack Cooney has paid tribute to long-serving Kieran Martin after his late goal was crucial in helping his team to victory in the Tailteann Cup final.
Westmeath claimed their own piece of history in Croke Park, but it was the timely contribution from the substitute that swung the game in their favour against pre-match favourites Cavan.
With the sides level and three minutes left on the clock, Martin bulldozed his way through the Cavan defence, twice coming close to over-carrying, before blasting high to the net.
That green flag put the midlanders three to the good before Ronan Wallace punched over the insurance point in added time.
Cooney was full of praise for the 2015 All-Star nominee in showing resilience to battle back from a serious injury last year.
"That's the experience that he brings," he told RTÉ Sport. "He has trained brilliantly over the last number of weeks.
Westmeath manager Jack Cooney believes that his side's Tailteann Cup victory is just reward for the hard work his squad have put in over the last decade or so. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/TkAEHiHuol
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 9, 2022
"Last year he got a horrendous injury, probably a career-ending injury, but he loves his county. He shows it every time he togs and I’m delighted for him that he’s able to show how much it means to him to play for Westmeath."
Player of the match Ronan O’Toole, who picked off five points, couldn’t hide his delight at that winning feeling at GAA HQ.
"It’s a bit surreal," he said.
Westmeath's Ronan O'Toole pulled the strings for his side at Croke Park and helped them to glory in the Tailteann Cup. He's the man-of-the-match. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/OyETvMfuQR
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) July 9, 2022
"As a child I always dreamed of playing in Croke Park on the big stage, and lifting silverware. I’m just delighted to be able to do that today.
"We just kept chipping away at the scoreboard. We knew we had the legs and a strong bench, so we just wanted to be within arm’s length in the last quarter."
