Donegal 0-15 Westmeath 1-7:DONEGAL GAVE their hopes of avoiding relegation a major boost with this victory over Westmeath at Cusack Park yesterday, condemning the home side to the drop in the process.
If John Joe Doherty’s side can overcome Derry in their final game they will secure Division One status for next season.
A draw might even be enough for Donegal in that away clash with Derry, although Dublin are likely to boost their scoring difference in their final match at home to Westmeath, who will have nothing but pride to play for.
Brendan Devenney made his latest return to the Donegal colours, entering the fray as a second-half substitute.
Donegal were the better side throughout, but only led by a point at half-time, 0-7 to 1-3, after a 35th-minute goal from Niall Kilcoyne threw Westmeath a lifeline.
Westmeath full forward Denis Glennon scored the opening point from a free, but Donegal reeled off the next five points. Westmeath’s first score from play finally arrived in the 25th minute, Michael Ennis on target after good work from Doran Harte.
Ryan Bradley and Denis Glennon (free) exchanged points, before Kilcoyne scored the only goal of the game, after catching a free sent in by Glennon.
In the 37th minute, Donegal wing forward David Walsh edged his side back in front.
Within two minutes of the restart, Michael Doherty put Donegal two in front, but Westmeath drew level thanks to points from substitute Dermot Bannon and Doran Harte.
The visitors responded to Westmeath going level by posting four points on the trot, a score by Rory Kavanagh starting the sequence.
Donegal put some flowing moves together during this period of the game, with two points from Christy Toye and one from Bradley leaving them 0-12 to 1-5 ahead.
Donegal didn’t allow the dismissal of two players on yellow cards to thwart their passage to victory. Rory Kavanagh was deservedly yellow-carded for a high tackle on the hard-working John Smyth in the 51st minute, while substitute Stephen Griffin suffered a similar fate with four minutes left.
A point each from Glennon and Ennis was all Westmeath could muster in response as Donegal added to their lead with points from Griffin, Brian Roper (free) and substitute Michael Hegarty.
DONEGAL: P Durcan; J Gallagher, N McGee, P McDaid; C Byrne, B Monaghan, M McGuire; B Boyle (0-2), C Toye (0-3); D Walsh (0-1), B Roper (0-1, free), R Kavanagh (0-1); C Dunne (0-1), R Bradley (0-3), M Doherty (0-1). Subs: S Griffin (0-1) for Dunne inj (36 mins), M Hegarty (0-1) for Roper (50 mins), B Devenney for Doherty (50 mins), B Roper for Kavanagh (yellow, 52 mins), R Sweeney for Byrne (53 mins), R Mac Niallais for Griffin (yellow, 67 mins).
WESTMEATH: G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; A Claffey, D Heavin, D Harte (0-1); N Kilcoyne (1-0), D Duffy; M Ennis (0-2), J Smyth, C Reilly; T McDaniel, D Glennon (0-3, two frees), C Lynam. Subs: D Bannon (0-1) for McDaniel (34 mins), P Bannon for Kilcoyne (52 mins), J Connellan for Claffey (58 mins), K Scally for Reilly (60 mins).
Referee: A Mangan (Kerry).
