Draw Just About Enough

Sunday 18.06.2023

County

All-Ireland SFC Rd 3
Tyrone 0-18 Westmeath 0-18

Through but just about.  Tyrone have John Heslin to thank for their continued involvement in this years All Ireland Series.  He missed absolutely nothing throughout the game but a last second free from a difficult angle.  If he had nailed that Tyrone’s season would have been over.

Tyrone trailed 0-5 to 0-4 after 20 minutes thanks to points from Sam McCartan, Luke Loughlin and two John Heslin frees for Westmeath. All four Tyrone points came from Darragh Canavan.  He would go on to nail 0-10 during the game.

By the 30th minute Tyrone were level thanks to another two Canavan points and a single John Heslin free.  By half time though Westmeath were back in front as Luke Loughlin, twice, and Sam McCartan found their range.  A Peter Harte free and a point from Brian Kennedy completed Tyrone’s scoring in the opening period.  Half Time Score – Tyrone 0-7 Westmeath 0-8.

Ruairí Canavan had the sides level just seconds after the break as Westmeath failed to finish two goal chances.  At the other end of the field Darragh Canavan was on fire from frees and in open play.

The Tyrone lead was extended to 0-15 to 0-11 courtesy of points from Conn Kilpatrick and sub Kieran McGeary with less than 15 minutes to go.

Westmeath refused to go away. Luke Loughlin and Ronan O’Toole both hit points and subs Senan Baker and Kieran Martin both kicked classy points from play. A Heslin free and another score from Ray Connellan levelled the contest deep into injury time ahead of a final John Heslin free from close to the sideline which thankfully for the Red Hands went wide.

Tyrone Scorers: D Canavan 0-10 (6fs), R Canavan 0-3 (1f), P Harte (f), B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick, J Oguz, K McGeary 0-1 each.

Westmeath Scorers.: J Heslin 0-8 (7fs), L Loughlin 0-4 (2fs), S McCartan 0-2, R Connellan, R O’Toole, S Baker, K Martin 0-1 each.

Tyrone: N Morgan; M McKernan, R McNamee, P Hampsey; C Quinn, M O’Neill, P Harte; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; C Meyler, J Oguz, R Canavan; A Clarke, M Donnelly, D Canavan.

Subs: K McGeary for Oguz (42), F Burns for McNamee (52), N Devlin for Donnelly (64), N Kelly for Clarke (66), S O’Donnell for Harte (70).

Westmeath: J Daly; J Smith, K Maguire, J Dolan; S McCartan, R Wallace, C Dillon; J Lynam, R Connellan; A McCormack, R O’Toole, D Lynch; L Loughlin, J Heslin, L Dolan.

Subs: S Smith for L Dolan (43), S Baker for Dillon (46), J Gonoud for J Smith (56), K Martin for Maguire (66).

Referee: N Mooney (Cavan).