A well-taken second half Damien Healy goal at Cusack Park, Mullingar paved the way for an impressive Westmeath side to secure their first NFL win (1-11 to 0-8) over Meath since 1973. Stephen Bray got Meath up and running inside the opening minute with a point from the influential Fergal Wilson putting Meath on the backfoot. Meath remained on the defensive as they laboured badly to add to Bray's opening score and, incredibly, the Royals weren't to score again 'till the 37th minute. In a switch in personnel, Gary Dolan was substituted in the 15th minute with sub Denis Glennon going onto play an influential part in the game. In between times, Westmeath impressed in extending their lead with Fergal Wilson (free) and sub Glennon (22nd min) helping to propel the hosts into a deserved 0-4 to 0-1 lead. It wasn't all a bed of roses though for the midlanders as they spurned several chances to make Meath pay for their lethargy. Still, Westmeath were a tad more economical up front - even allowing for their eight wides tally in the first half - and points from Fergal Wilson, Alan Mangan and Denis Glennon had Meath eyeing up the panic button. Meath were poor in the extreme in going forward and, incredibly, it took them 35 minutes to add to Bray's opening point when Alan Nestor fisted the ball over the bar. But when Fergal Wilson was sent off just before the half-time break for an altercation with Nigel Crawford, Meath looked to have been thrown a lifeline. But despite going down to 14 men, man of the match Damien Healy popped up late on to make it 0-5 to 0-2 at half-time in favour of the maroon and whites. Westmeath were determined to retain their momentum on the restart and points from Tommy Cleary (1995 All-Ireland MFC medallist) had Meath again under the cosh. The Royals tried to rally and two points in the 43rd and 44th minutes by Graham Geraghty and Peader Byrne hinted at a revival. But further points by Martin Flanagan and Tommy Cleary plus a Damien Healy goal (50th min) left an air of inevitability hanging over proceedings as Westmeath sat pretty on the back of a 1-10 to 0-6 lead. A great Gary Connaughton save from an Anthony Moyles effort added salt into Meath's wounds and when Byrne saw red on the hour mark, the words goose and cooked could almost be heard in the wind at Cusack Park. A point by Mark Ward and another one from Anthony Moyles (60th min) did keep Westmeath on their toes but in truth the hosts' lead was never really threatened in the run-in. Circling the wagons, Westmeath remained composed 'till the death despite conceding another point with substitute Brian Meade's effort having consolation written all over it. Tweet

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