Mixed day for inter-county sides as hurlers win comfortably in Trim

Westmeath’s senior footballers’ bid for promotion in the Allianz NFL hit a banana skin in Ardee today, as Louth edged Jack Cooney’s charges in their Division 3 clash.

The Maroons, heavily reliant on John Heslin (1-10) for scores, trailed 0-9 to 1-5 at the break despite benefiting from an early goal by the St Loman’s star.

Another Lakepoint Park clubman, Sam McCartan, pointed an equaliser shortly after the restart, and the visitors then moved ahead thanks to another Heslin free.

However, a goal from Louth’s Conor Grimes seven minutes into the second moiety put Westmeath back to square one, and they were chasing it for the rest of the game.

When Louth’s Sam Mulroy pointed a free in the 64th minute, the Wee County had established a 1-15 to 1-11 cushion, and despite two more Heslin frees, they held on for the win.

Hurlers canter in Trim

Meanwhile, in Trim this afternoon, Westmeath’s senior hurlers romped to a surprisingly lopsided win against neighbours Meath in Division 2A of the Allianz NHL.

Joe Fortune’s troops had most of the hard work done by half-time, when they led by 14 points (3-13 to 0-8), with Niall Mitchell (2) and Killian Doyle netting for Westmeath.

A tit-for-tat second half followed, but a late fourth goal from Raharney’s Eoin Keyes meant that the Maroons finished up winners by 17 points (4-23 to 1-15).

Elsewhere, the Lake County’s minor camogie side ran out 1-10 to 0-3 winners against Kerry in their All-Ireland campaign.