Wicklow seal dramatic win over Westmeath to surge into Tailteann Cup semis
Wicklow booked their place in the Tailteann Cup semi-final after a historic 2-18 to 2-17 win over Westmeath.
Midway through the second half the midland side lead by eight points in Aughrim but the Garden County fought back and found a winner in added time.
A large crowd piled into Echelon Park for what was an exhilarating contest from the off.
Westmeath started the scoring with a major from a late replacement to the match day programme Shane Allen, who caught a long ball inside and finished home. Minutes later, following a Joe Prendergast point, Oisin McGraynor found himself through on goal having used a pass from Malachy Stone to turn his man and go for the jugular. The Avondale man finished low and Wicklow led for the last time until injury time.
The next spell saw the midland side settle and find scores far easier as they picked up points from Nigel Harte, Luke Loughlin and Ray Connellan and Loughlin again before, Sam McCartan fisted a goal from a miss-hit Loughlin point effort.
Wicklow then hit their seventh wide from the boot off Dean Healy after a good spell of possession as things were going off script for the home side. Ronan Wallace then took a one-two with Shane Allen and fisted over to show the contrast between the sides at that time. Westmeath were finding scores far easier.
McGraynor hit back for Wicklow who from here created and missed three excellent goal chances. The first chance came the way of Darragh Fee, who after a short kickout gone wrong had an open net to aim at but couldn't regain his footing. Up the other end, Stephen Smith converted before Mark Jackson landed a two-pointer from a free and McGraynor once again kept Wicklow in the hunt with another free.
A further spurned goal chance from Wicklow saw Jackson convert the resulting forty-five as Mark Kenny followed his team-mate and closed the half with a point. At half time the scores were 1-07 to 2-06 in Westmeath's favour.
In the second half Westmeath started far better as Robbie Forde announced himself with a free and a two-pointer. Loughlin, who began to ask for more from the crowd, then kicked a free and a majestic two-pointer from fifty yards. Eoin Darcy stopped the rot for Wicklow, and after another Jackson two-pointer free, Chris O'Brien then landed a point at the second time of asking.
Fee then drove all around the back of the Westmeath cover before fisting over to keep momentum for his side. However, Forde hit back with a point. After a long spell of possession from Wicklow, Darcy put three between the sides with a free.
In the next play, Wicklow won the kickout and Chris O'Brien raced through and found Healy who was fouled. Joseph Moran received a black card and McGraynor converted from the spot for a level game with 13 minutes left.
Loughlin found a two-pointer free as Aughrim was at fever pitch and Sam McCartan followed that up with a stylish two-pointer of his own. Fee marked his introduction with a point minutes later for Oisin McConville's men as Westmeath were then caught with only two up. To level the contest, Jackson held his nerve and celebrated as he turned, knowing his kick had landed his side two points.
By the time of Conor McCormack's restart, the game had moved past the '70 and it was whoever could get their shot off first. Wicklow won the kickout, but a misplaced pass saw Westmeath break and work the ball to Loughlin. The Downs clubman had his shot blocked down by Malachy Stone, and Wicklow broke, working the ball to Healy, who kicked Wicklow into the Tailteann Cup semi-final.
Westmeath: Conor McCormack; Jack Geoghan, Sam Smyth, Jamie Gonoud; Joseph Moran, Ronan Wallace (0-01), Sam McCartan (1-02, 1tp); Ray Connellan (0-01), Brian Guerin; Shane Allen (1-00), Kevin O'Sullivan, Nigel Harte (0-01); Luke Loughlin (0-07, 1 tp, 1 tpf, 1f), Stephen Smith (0-01), Robbie Forde (0-04, 1 tp, 1f).
Subs: Tadgh Baker for Stephen Smith (49 temp), Danny McCartan for Shane Allen (59)
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-7, 1, 45, 3tpf); Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, (0-01), Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee (0-01); Dean Healy (0-01), Padraig O'Toole (0-01); Christopher O'Brien (0-01), Eoin Darcy (0-02, 2f), Cathal Baker; Oisin McGraynor (2-02, 1-00 p, 2f), Craig Maguire, Mark Kenny (0-01).
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