A misdirected Westmeath pass three minutes from time was all Meath needed to clinch victory in an entertaining game at Cusack Park, Mullingar yesterday.

More than 5,000 spectators enjoyed the end-to-end action as the home side looked to be on course to pull off a major shock. A point from substitute Joe Fallon put them into the lead as the game entered the last five minutes, but Graham Geraghty and substitute Ollie Murphy combined to present Ray Magee with the opportunity after a Westmeath error and he made no mistake.

Geraghty had earlier kicked over the equalising point when he appeared to have the goal at his mercy; but that was one of the few clearcut chances Meath got against a tight-marking Westmeath defence.

The home side had started better, but lost their influential captain Ger Heavin just before half-time; Evan Kelly and Geraghty both found the target to edge Meath two points ahead, 0-7 to 0-5, at the interval.