The Downs hold off St Loman's to retain Westmeath SFC crown

St Lomans' Mikey Weir and Oisin Loughlin of The Downs ©INPHO/James Crombie

The Downs made it back-to-back senior football championship titles in Westmeath after edging rivals St Loman’s in a cracking showdown in Mullingar this afternoon.

It finished 1-18 to 0-20 at TEG Cusack Park, where Ian Martin’s late point proved the difference between the sides in the end as The Downs triumphed to their 12th Flanagan Cup success.

The holders got out to a 0-9 to 0-4 lead inside the opening 20 minutes of this decider before St Loman’s battled back to level with the help of scores from county men John Heslin and Sam McCartan.

The Downs would hit the jackpot on the eve of half-time with a Niall Mitchell goal which sent them in leading by 1-10 to 0-10 at the break.

St Loman’s got back on level terms by the 53rd minute, with marksman Heslin to the fore for them, but their opponents went on to send over unanswered points via Mitchell (free), Luke Loughlin (free) and Martin in the closing minutes.

Ronan O’Toole sailed over a two-pointer in the dying stages for St Loman’s, but they wouldn’t be able to find another score as The Downs held on to retain their crown.