Division Two Semi-final: Westmeath - 1-16 Longford - 2-12 Although favourites Westmeath booked their place in the Division Two final, they had to withstand a tremendous comeback by neigbouring rivals Longford in a high-scoring thriller at Hyde Park in Roscommon.
In the end they had just a solitary point to spare at the final whistle.
Luke Dempsey's charges appeared to be coasting to their expected victory when they held a commanding nine-point lead, 1-16 to 1-7, with just 15 minutes of normal time remaining, but failed to register another score during the remainder of the game.
With the aid of a strong breeze Longford finally began to convert their second-half superiority into scores and their persistence in pumping high balls into target man Niall Sheridan at full forward paid off handsomely when they scored their second goal in the 59th minute.
Trevor Smullen slotted the ball into Sheridan, who fielded well and proceeded to play the perfect pass to Paul Barden, who was left with the simple task of sending the ball into the empty net.
Spurred on by their enthusiastic supporters among the 7,000 attendance, Longford gradually closed the gap with excellent points from Smullen and Paul Barden and when Padraic Davis fired over his ninth point of the game in the third minute of stoppage time, only the minimum separated the sides.
However, time ran out for the gallant losers who were guilty of kicking a total of 10 wides in the second half as compared to just two for Westmeath.
Davis also had a goal attempt well saved by Westmeath goalkeeper Aidan Lennon in the 49th minute and the main difference between the sides was former All Star Rory O'Connell who had an outstanding game at centrefield for the winners.
O'Connell was particularly prominent when ruling the roost in the first half and thanks to a goal from full forward Gary Dolan in the 25th minute Westmeath ended up leading by 1-12 to 1-5 at the break.
However, Longford proceeded to press the self-destruct button when wasting several opportune scoring chances in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and this proved to be their downfall.
WESTMEATH: A Lennon, D Heavin, D Mitchell, K Henson, D Gilmartin, D Healy, D Gavin, R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy, S Colleary (0-1), F Wilson (0-6, 4 frees), J Conroy (0-2), J P Casey (0-3), G Dolan (1-0), D Dolan (0-4, all frees). Subs: P Rouse for Gilmartin (21 mins); K Larkin for Mitchell (injured 43 mins); D O'Donoghue for O'Shaughnessy (62 mins); P J Ward for Colleary (67 mins).
LONGFORD: G Tonra, D Brady, C Conefrey, D Ledwith, M Mulleady, E Ledwith, A O'Connor, J O'Callaghan, T Smullen (0-1), M Lennon, P Barden (2-1), D Barden, J Martin (0-1), N Sheridan, P Davis (0-9, 5 frees, three play, one 45). Subs: F Coyle for D Ledwith (40 mins); P Shanley for O'Callaghan (56 mins); P Ross for D Barden (57 mins).
Referee: M Curley (Galway).
