"A win is a win is a win," was how one Westmeath football supporter described his side's 1-13 to 0-10 Allianz Football League Division 3 victory over Wicklow at a sunny Echelon Park Aughrim on Sunday afternoon.
His despairing tone probably summed up the feelings of most of those in attendance who watched what can only be described as an infinitely forgettable game of football where the slightly more ambitious and capable side went home with the precious league points in their back pockets.
Wicklow will look to two missed goal chances early in the second half as factors that could have changed the outcome of this game, but, realistically, three points from play over 70 minutes of football and their tedious approach play might more accurately sum up why they are now in a precarious position in Division 3.
The decent crowd that turned up for this one were treated to beautiful February sunshine but at times far from pretty football, with the visitors edging the opening 35 by 1-05 to 0-04, the goal a stunning rocket to the bottom corner from Kieran Martin after 14 minutes.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the early stages, frees from Senan Barker and Kevin Quinn getting us up and running before Quinn from play and another Barker free left it 0-02 to 0-02.
A fine block by Ray Connellan on Oisin McGraynor prevented a Wicklow score but a Quinn free gave Oisin McConville's side the lead with 10 minutes on the clock.
Westmeath hit their first wide - and that of the match - after 12 minutes such was cautious nature of the game, but it was a rare moment of ambition and freedom that allowed to Kieran Martin dance through the Wicklow defence before firing home to the delight of the travelling support.
A messy, frustrating period followed before another Quinn free left just one between the sides, although Wicklow will feel that Eoin D’Arcy was on his way to scoring a goal until his progress was halted by Westmeath’s Jamie Gonoud.
But Westmeath would finish the half the stronger with points from Barker, Ronan Wallace and Luke Loughlin to leave it 1-05 to 0-04 at the break, Dean Healy watching as his solo effort trickled wide of the Westmeath post in what was the last action of the half.
Wicklow stormed out of the blocks on the turnaround with substitute Jack Kirwan walloping an effort off the butt of the post and JP Nolan firing over to leave it 1-05 to 0-05 after seven in favour of the visitors.
Oisin McConville’s side found themselves with another goalscoring chance moments later only for corner-back Malachy Stone to see his shot saved superbly by Jason Daly.
Westmeath added the next four scores through Kieran Martin [free], the excellent Senan Barker, Ronan O’Toole and Barker from a free to make it 1-09 to 0-05 after 18 minutes of the second half and Wicklow playing against the wind.
With Sam McCartan involved in everything positive from Dessie Dolan’s side’s point of view, they always looked to have too much for Wicklow, replying to two points from the home side with singles from Sam McCartan and Robbie Forde while Kevin Quinn’s free-taking late on took the bad look of the scoreboard.
Wicklow: Shane Doyle; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, Paddy O’Keane, Eoin Murtagh (0-01); Dean Healy, Craig Maguire; Liam O’Neill, Eoin D’Arcy, Cathal Baker; Oisin McGraynor, Kevin Quinn (0-08, 7f), Cillian McDonald
Subs: Jack Kirwan for J Prendergast (ht), JP Nolan (0-01) for J Prendergast (ht), Fintan O’Shea for C McDonald (55), Brian Nesbitt for L O’Neill (55), Conor Fee for O McGraynor (60)
Westmeath: Jason Daly; James Dolan, Charlie Drumm, Jamie Gonoud; Sam McCartan, Ronan Wallace (0-01), Conor Dillon; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack; David Lynch, Ronan O’Toole (0-01), Jonathan Lynam; Danny McCartan (0-03), Senan Barker (0-06, 5f), Kieran Martin (1-01, 1f)
Subs: Kevin Maguire for J Dolan (51), Robbie Forde (0-1) for K Martin (55), Nigel Harte for J Lynham (55), Matthew Whittaker for C Dillon (60), Daniel Scahill for J Gonoud (67)
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)
