NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE - DIVISION 1A/Donegal ... 1-6 Westmeath ... 0-7: Mayo official Charlie Collins needed a Garda escort off windswept Cusack Park in Mullingar yesterday after some strange decisions against the home side angered the bulk of the 4,000 attendance.
Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey shared the home supporters' disgust, calling Collins' handling of the game, "the worst I have seen since becoming involved at inter-county level in 1995".
The manager said players train professionally and attempt to play with a professional attitude and deserve better from the GAA.
Westmeath plunged to a worrying third league defeat when they went under to visitors Donegal in a tight and, at times, bruising encounter.
The home side were hit by some very baffling decisions, conceding a controversial penalty and then losing All-Star midfielder Rory O'Connell on the 50-minute mark.
While Westmeath may feel more aggrieved at the outcome, there were times when the Donegal players were equally as baffled by the referee's decisions.
Far from being an over-physical battle, the two sides attempted to play constructive football in very testing conditions, but they were not helped by the frequent intrusions from the match official.
In all, five players were booked in the course of the game; but the turning point came when O'Connell was issued with a second yellow in the 50th minute. Donegal's confidence soared and they grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck as Westmeath's spirit wilted.
Playing into the face of the gusting wind in the opening half, the home side had opened brightly and two Joe Fallon frees provided an early cushion.
John Gildea, who along with his partner Kevin Rafferty dominated midfield for long spells, got the visitors' opening point in the ninth minute. Six minutes later, Collins awarded Donegal a controversial penalty and up stepped Adrian Sweeney to fire the ball low past Westmeath custodian Cathal Mullin.
Michael Hegarty and Fallon exchanged points before McCafferty completed the first-half scoring when sending over a 45.
Backed by the elements on the change of ends, Westmeath took the game to Donegal, and Fallon and JP Casey fired over two fine points before Casey tied the scores with a well-struck free. Shortly after, the home side were dealt a hammer blow when O'Connell received his marching orders and Donegal made the most of their misfortune.
Although JP Casey shot Westmeath into the lead, it was the northerners who were looking the more menacing.
Adrian Sweeney rattled over two points to push Donegal in front and midfielder Kevin Rafferty tacked on an insurance-point in the 72nd minute.
DONEGAL: T Blake; D Diver, M Crossan, N McGinley; R Sweeney, B Monaghan, K Cassidy; J Gildea (0-1), K Rafferty (0-1); C Toye, M Hegarty (0-1), J McGuinness; A Sweeney (1-2), C McFadden, B Roper. Subs: J McCafferty (0-1) for Roper; P McConigly for McGinley; John Haron for McGuinness; P McGonigle for McCafferty.
WESTMEATH: C Mullin; J Davitt, K Ryan, K McKinley; D Murphy, D Healy, J Keane; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; F Wilson, M Ennis, D Heavin; J Fallon (0-4), P Conway, JP Casey (0-3). Subs: D Garvin for Heavin; D Mitchell for Murphy.
Referee: C Collins (Mayo)
