Improved Antrim come up just short from visit of Westmeath

Allianz NFL Division 3

Antrim 0-09 Westmeath 0-13

Full back Eunan Walsh (3) ran the length of the field in a great move involving two other Antrim players but the couldn’t deliver the finish needed. It was to prove that sort of day as Antrim missed a world of chances to win a game that was there for the taking

Referee, Fintan Pierce certainly didn’t endear himself to the Antrim support at Corrigan Park on Sunday with a number of strange decisions over the hour and it resulted in Antrim manager, Andy McEntee being shown a yellow card as he vented his frustration at the Offaly official.

However when the dust settles the Antrim manger will surely reflect on the number of chances his side wasted over the 70 plus minutes and a performance that saw them match the joint league leaders in everything other than on the scoreboard.

Over the contest the Saffrons might have had three goals and the posts proved an elusive target as the wide tally increased throughout a frustrating evening where they were more than a match for the Leinster side.

**Westmeath’s Ray Connellan goes high to win the ball above Antrim’s Ronan Boyle during Sunday’s Allianz National Football League Division 3 game at Corrigan Park, Belfast. Pic by John McIlwaine**

Westmeath were much more patient and clinical in front of the posts as they made it five wins from five in Division Three to boost their promotion hopes and end Antrim’s at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

In the end, Dessie Dolan’s side took most of what they created, while Antrim will look back with regrets as they kicked some poor wides and saw three big goal chances come and go in a game that came down to fine margins.

Westmeath were able to punish the errors and open a bit of a gap in the second period and they maintained that gap and this win leaves them well placed in the promotion hunt.

Three straight defeats now leave Antrim looking over their shoulder with their promotion chances evaporating after this defeat and they might well need at least a point from their two remaining games after today’s defeat.

It was a cagey opening five minutes before Eunan Walsh started a superb Antrim move out from the back and continued his run to get on the end of it but his close range effort was just the right height for Westmeath goalkeeper Jason Daly who saved at the expense of a ‘45’.

**Eunan Walsh catches a high ball in the Antrim ‘square’ during the first half**

Michael Byrne was wide from the 45 but then had to be at his best at the other end as Westmeath’s Jonathan Lynam looked certain to goal but was denied by the Rossa net-minder.

Ronan Boyle finally got Antrim off the mark with a point for the hosts after eight minutes but Senan Baker replied immediately from a free to tie the scoring.

The visitors then took a bit of a grip with two quick scores, but a Dominic McEnhill brace including a beauty from play tied the contest once more.

The Saffrons were moving the ball around with great purpose and looked set to score the game’s opening goal but Marc Jordan had his effort stopped on the line by David Lynch when a goal seemed certain.

Kavan Keenan edged hosts ahead with an excellent point from a tight angle following a strong run from deep in defence but Westmeath got back on terms immediately and they would take a 0-05 to 0-04 lead into the break after Danny McCartan weaved his way into space to score as Antrim were left to rue half a dozen first-half wides.

**Antrim midfielder Conor Hand fists the ball away as it is thrown in at the start of the second half**

Westmeath enjoyed plenty of the ball straight after the break with the extended move finished by Conor Dillon, while Ronan O’Toole added another.

Antrim remained in the hunt however with Michael Byrne and Dermott McAleese kicking scores before Danny and Sam McCartan replied at the other end to keep the Lake County’s noses ahead.

The margin was four on 58 minutes when Antrim were again denied as a quick free released Marc Jordan who played in McEnhill and the corner-forward seemed to do everything right as he steadied but saw his shot crash off the bar.

McEnhill and Declan Lynch would kick points as Antrim closed the gap further but Westmeath were always able to find a response and Andy McCormack and Kieran Martin moved the visitors four ahead.

Conor Hand’s converted a free from the left before Lynam edged Westmeath four in front again with Antrim pressing at the final whistle but a couple of Hail Mary’s came to nothing as they went looking for the goal that might have swung it in their favour.

Antrim now travel to Clare on the 16^th March while Offaly, who recorded a facile victory over Wicklow on Sunday travel to Sligo.

Wicklow, who remain pointless, travel to Belfast on the final day of the league campaign while Offaly entertain Limerick and the Saffrons might yet need something from their remaining two games to secure division 3 status for another year.

***Dominic McEnhill is dragged back by two Westmeath defenders, but unfortunately for Antrim match referee Finton Pearce did not see it that way and blew the Rossa man up for throwing the ball.***

Antrim: Michael Byrne (0-01, 1f); John Morgan, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan (0-01); Declan Lynch (0-01), Jospeh Finnegan, Dermot McAleese (0-01); Colm McLarnon, Conor Hand (0-01, 1f); Ronan Boyle (0-01), Patrick McBride, Ruairi McCann (Creggan); Marc Jordan, Pat Shivers, Dominic McEnhill (0-03, 2f)

Subs: Niall Burns for P Shivers (52), Liam McLarnon for D McEnhill (70+1).

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Kevin Maguire, Charlie Drumm, Jonathan Lynam (0-02); Daniel Scahill, Ronan Wallace (0-01), Nigel Harte; Ray Connellan, Andy McCormack (0-01); David Lynch (0-01), Ronan O’Toole (0-01), Sam McCartan (0-01); Senan Baker (0-02, 2f), Conor Dillon (0-01), Danny McCartan (0-02, 1f).

Subs: Kieran Martin (0-01) for S Baker (49), Matthew Whittaker for R Wallace (55), James Dolan for N Harte (55), Eoin Mulvihill for C Drumm (58), Stephen Smith for D McCartan (68)

Referee: Fintan Pierce (Offaly)