Westmeath’s promotion hopes dented on the double by Laois

The promotion hopes of both the Westmeath footballers and hurlers suffered significant blows with defeats to Laois this weekend.

The footballers fell to a humbling and alarming defeat in Portlaoise last night (Saturday) as a Laois side which went into the game in relegation trouble surged to an emphatic 3-16 to 1-13 victory.

Westmeath’s goal was a mere consolation from a 67th-minute penalty by Luke Loughlin at a stage when the O’Moore men led by 11 points.

The Laois goals were scored by Ronan Coffey, substitute Paul Kingston (a penalty) and the always threatening Evan O’Carroll.

Westmeath actually performed reasonably well in the first half and only trailed by three points (1-9 to 0-9) at half-time, despite having played against the strong breeze. But Westmeath really struggled to match the intensity of a fired-up Laois outfit in the second half.

On a night when virtually everything went wrong for Westmeath, team captain Ronan Wallace was forced off with an injury, and Matthew Whittaker was also hampered with an injury before being withdrawn. Though Luke Loughlin ended up with a tally of 1-6, he also missed two seemingly routine frees, hinting that it just wasn’t going to be Westmeath’s night (see teams and scorers below).

In stoppage time, midfielder Ray Connellan was sent off on a straight red card and is therefore set to miss the next game against Limerick (Sunday, March 15) through suspension. Westmeath went into the Laois game without Jonathan Lynam and both of the Baker brothers (Senan and Tadhg) due to injury.

Westmeath’s Division 3 fate is still in their own hands and wins in their remaining two games (at home to Limerick and away to Wexford) will secure promotion, barring some improbable results elsewhere.

But there is no more margin for error and the dreadful second-half performance against Laois raises serious questions about Westmeath’s ability to claim the two wins they need. Indeed, some observers have suggested that the manner of the defeat to Laois shows that Westmeath are not equipped to compete in Division 2 next year.

However, it’s up to Mark McHugh’s charges to show that this was an aberration and if they can prove their true worth in the next two games, promotion can still be secured. Westmeath are one of three teams on six points (along with Wexford and Clare), four points behind Down, who have maximum points from five games.

Meanwhile, the Westmeath hurlers lost to Laois by 1-23 to 0-17 at TEG Cusack Park this afternoon (Sunday). The Laois goal was scored by Tomás Keyes in the 45th minute and it proved a crucial moment in swinging game in favour of the visitors.

It was Westmeath's first defeat of the campaign – they drew their opening match away to Kerry - while table toppers Laois now have four wins from four games.

Westmeath will be expected to win their remaining two games (at home to Derry next Sunday and away to Mayo on Saturday, March 21). But with Kerry and Meath also in contention for promotion, that may not be enough for Kevin O'Brien's men depending on other results.

Allianz Football League Division 3: Laois 3-16 Westmeath 1-13

Scorers – Laois: E O’Carroll 1-3 (0-2f); P Kingston 1-2 (1-0pen, 0-1f); R Coffey 1-1; D Galvin and K Roche (1tp, 1f) 0-3 each; K Swayne, R Murphy, D Brennan and P Kirwan 0-1 each. Westmeath: L Loughlin 1-6 (1-0pen, 0-2f); K O’Sullivan 0-3; S McCartan 0-2 (1f); R Forde and S Allen 0-1 each.

Laois - Killian Roche; Jack Lacey, Trevor Collins, Jake Darcy; Paddy O’Sullivan, Simon Fingleton, Aaron McEvoy; Robert Tyrell, Conor Heffernan; Kevin Swayne, Ronan Coffey, Darren Brennan; Rioghan Murphy, Daragh Galvin, Evan O’Carroll. Subs: Pa Kirwan for McEvoy (45 mins), Paul Kingston for Coffey (48), Ciaran Burke for Tyrrell (58), Niall Corbet for Brennan (64), Mikie Dempsey for Murphy (68).

Westmeath - Jack Connaughton; Danny Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Sam Smyth; Ronan Wallace, Shane Allen, Matthew Whittaker; Ray Connellan, Harry Niall; Kevin O’Sullivan, Sam McCartan, Brían Cooney; Shane Corcoran, Luke Loughlin, Robbie Forde. Subs: Danny McCartan for Corcoran (h-t), Brian Guerin for Niall (48 mins), Tom Molloy for Forde (49), Brandon Kelly for Wallace (inj., 55), Jack Duncan for Whittaker (57).

Referee - Chris Maguire (Clare).