NFL DIVISION TWO Westmeath 1-15 Derry 0-10:A REMARKABLE second-half turnaround in which they outscored Derry by 1-12 to 0-2 saw Westmeath maintain their Division Two status in style at Mullingar yesterday afternoon.
Derry had the advantage of a slight wind in the first half and looked the better side, with Paddy Bradley proving a particular handful for the home defence.
The full forward had contributed four points (three from play) to his side’s total when they led by 0-8 to 0-1 with 34 minutes elapsed.
However, late points from John Heslin and Kieran Martin gave Pat Flanagan’s hitherto wasteful charges real hope prior to the interval as Derry led 0-8 to 0-3.
Referee Martin Sludden issued 13 yellow cards overall (nine to Westmeath), but the second yellow received by Derry’s centre half back Dermot McBride in the 40th minute proved pivotal.
With teenager John Heslin lording the midfield exchanges and his club colleague Paul Sharry starring at centre back, a string of points followed, the best of which came from Denis Glennon in the 54th minute to put his side ahead for the first time (0-11 to 0-10).
Five minutes later, substitute James Dolan bundled the ball to the net to seal Westmeath’s win.
WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; M Curley, A Finnan, K Maguire; D McDermott (0-1), P Sharry (0-1), B Moran; J Heslin (0-4, frees), P Bannon; K Martin (0-4), G Egan, R Foley; Denis Glennon (0-3), David Glennon, M Ennis. Subs: C McCormack (0-2) for Ennis (46 mins), J Dolan (1-0) for Foley (52 mins).
DERRY: B Gillis; B McCallion, C McKaigue, A McAlynn; R Scott (0-1), D McBride, S L McGoldrick (0-2); B McGoldrick (0-1), PJ McCloskey; Patsy Bradley, M Lynch, E Brown; C O'Boyle (0-1, free), Paddy Bradley (0-4, 0-1 free), E Lynn (0-1). Subs: E Bradley for Brown (45 mins), C Kielt for B McGoldrick (48 mins), E McGuckin for O'Boyle (57 mins), E Scullion for McCallion (60 mins), L Moore for Lynn (68 mins).
Referee: M Sludden(Tyrone).
