WESTMEATH avoided the drop to Division Three when they carved out a hard fought, one point win over Dublin in this Division Two clash at Castletowngeoghean yesterday.
Weather conditions were anything but good for hurling and scores were at a premium in the first half. In fact, Dublin led by 0-2 to 0-1 after 29 minutes. Just on the call of half time, the wind assisted Dublin team got a boost when a Kevin Flynn inspired movement was finished to the net by Gerry Ennis.
On the resumption, Dublin stretched their lead with an Ennis point and Westmeath's hopes of victory seemed to be slipping away.
However, in the space of eight minutes - between the 33rd and 41st minutes Westmeath struck for a hat trick of goals. Opportunist corner forward Nick Weir poached two goals with Robbie Galvin smashing home the third.
Dublin, urged on by the impressive Conor McCann, Peter Pringle, Andy O'Callaghan and Gerry Ennis, replied in style and narrowed the deficit to two points with ten 10 minutes remaining.
Seamus Reilly scored a crucial Westmeath point in the 52nd minute and while Stephen Perkins and McCann added points for the visitors, Westmeath held out for a victory of some importance.
