Westmeath snatch victory with last-gasp Corcoran point

Westmeath 2-14 Sligo 1-16

Substitute Shane Corcoran emerged as the unlikely hero as Westmeath snatched a scarcely deserved victory over Sligo in this Allianz Football League Division 3 first round clash at TEG Cusack Park today (Sunday).

Just moments after fellow sub Sam McCartan had brought Westmeath level, the home side won the resulting kickout, paving the way for St Malachy's player Corcoran to steer over the winning point with the last kick of the game, leaving Sligo bitterly disappointed to leave Mullingar empty handed.

Overall, the Connacht outfit enjoyed plenty of possession and created numerous scoring chances, but they paid the price for wasteful finishing in the end.

Westmeath led by 2-9 to 0-7 at half-time, with Jonathan Lynam scoring both of the goals with good finishes, though that scoreline was undoubtedly very flattering.

Sligo made much the better start and had led 0-4 to 0-0 early on. Danny McCartan contributed three points to Westmeath's first half-half tally, including one two-pointer, with another orange flag coming from a Luke Loughlin free just before the half-time whistle.

Backed by the wind - which appeared to get stronger in the second half - Sligo gradually reduced the deficit and they got on top in the kickout battle.

Cian Lally's 48th-minute goal, palming Alan McLoughlin's delivery inside to the net, was a major boost to the visitors, while the injury-enforced withdrawal of team captain Ronan Wallace was an additional blow for Westmeath.

Indeed, Westmeath had to wait until the 52nd minute for their first score of the second period - a pointed free by Loughlin.

With sub Pat Spillane (son of the former Kerry star) a major influence around midfield, Sligo drew level at 2-11 to 1-14 by the 65th minute, with Spillane sending over the equaliser with a two-pointer.

After Loughlin edged Westmeath back in front, Spillane raised a second orange flag with another huge kick from the right (69th minute), leaving the men in black on the cusp of victory.

In addition to the ultimate victory, another positive for Westmeath was the way they continued to battle when the tide was going against them, and Sam McCartan brought the home side level with his third point.

No doubt, Westmeath supporters would have been relieved with a draw considering the way the second half had panned out, but Mark McHugh's men managed to kick the winner with Corcoran showing composure to finish his last-gasp chance.

With difficult away fixtures against Clare and Down coming up, Westmeath will need to produce vastly improved displays in those games, but for now the Lake County men will be relieved with this winning start.

Scorers - Westmeath: J Lynam 2-0; L Loughlin 0-5 (2pf, 1f); D McCartan (1tp) and S McCartan 0-3 each; M Whittaker, S Corcoran and S Baker (f) 0-1 each. Sligo: P Spillane (2tp) and A McLoughlin (1tpf, 2f) 0-4 each; C Lally 1-0; L Towey and N Murphy (2f) 0-2 each; N Mullen, D Cummins, L Deignan and S Deignan 0-1 each.

Westmeath - Jack Connaughton; Danny Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Boidu Sayeh; Ronan Wallace, Tadhg Baker, Brian Guerin; Jonathan Lynam, Ray Connellan; Kevin O’Sullivan, Senan Baker, Matthew Whittaker; Danny McCartan, Luke Loughlin, Brandon Kelly. Subs: Sam McCartan for Kelly (18 mins); Robbie Forde for Wallace (inj.); Tom Molloy for Guerin (53); Shane Corcoran for S Baker (57); Brían Cooney for O'Sullivan (65).

Sligo - Aidan Devaney; Tommy Ross, Evan Lyons, Luke Casserly; Nathan Mullen, Darragh Cummins, Jack Lavin; Canice Mulligan, Luke Towey; Conor Sheridan, Niall Murphy, Cian Lally; Alan McLoughlin, Lee Deignan, Shane Deignan. Subs: Pat Spillane for S Deignan (40 mins); Michael Lavin for Ross (60); Patrick O'Connor for Cummins (63); Dillon Walsh for J Lavin (70) Joshua Flynn for S Deignan (72).

Referee - Kevin Faloon (Armagh).