Down 4-18 Westmeath 4-10: DOWN RECORDED a surprise result in Mullingar yesterday, but the Mourne men were full value for their eight-point victory.

The visitors got off to the best possible start with a goal from full forward Kieran Courtney after only 10 seconds of the match.

DOWN: Graham Clarke; F Conway, A Dynes, P Hughes; S Wilson (0-3, one 65, two frees), R McGrattan, M Ennis; A Savage, C Coulter (0-1); E Trainor, P Branniff (1-8, six frees), C Woods; S Clarke (1-0), K. Courtney (2-0), E Clarke (0-5). Subs: Gabriel Clarke for Trainor (14 mins), K McGarry (0-1) for McGrattan (inj, 25), S Ennis (for Hughes, 42, yellow); D Flynn for Savage (64); A Higgins for Woods, K Maxwell for McGarry (both 68).

WESTMEATH: J Greville; C Jordan, P Greville, D Curley; B Connaughton, A Mitchell (1-3, two 65s, 1-0 free), J Shaw; P Dowdall, L Folan (1-0); B Murtagh (0-5, frees), D McCormack, C Curley (0-1); D McNicholas, K Cosgrove (1-0), E. Price (0-1). Subs: B Smyth for Connaughton (41 mins), D Carty for Cosgrove, 42, yellow); R Jackson (1-0) for Folan (45); D Kilcoyne (for Smyth, 59, yellow); M Geraghty for Dowdall, A Aughey for Price (both 69).

Referee:S Whelan (Wexford).