Wicklow shock Westmeath to reach Tailteann Cup semi-finals
Tailteann Cup quarter-final: Wicklow 2-18 Westmeath 2-17
Wicklow came back from eight points down midway through the second half in their Tailteann Cup quarter-final to shock Westmeath in Aughrim.
Dean Healy scored the winner for Wicklow, cutting inside the Westmeath cover to kick a point from inside the arc. It ignited rapturous scenes at Echelon Park as home supporters raced onto the pitch to celebrate.
Westmeath, winners of the inaugural Tailteann Cup in 2022, had looked the most likely victors throughout. They led by three points with 12 minutes to play when Healy was fouled and referee Seamus Mulhare awarded Wicklow a penalty. He also dished out a black card to Joe Moran. Oisín McGraynor converted the kick to bring the sides level.
Westmeath hit back with what appeared to be two decisive blows, first Luke Loughlin kicked a two-point free and then Sam McCartan added a two-pointer from play two minutes later to send Westmeath four clear.
Conor Fee, who had entered the game just moments earlier as a replacement for McGraynor, began the Wicklow fightback with a point from play. Goalkeeper Mark Jackson, showcasing the long range kicking ability which had him on the radar of NFL teams, took his tally to seven points with a two-point free. Wicklow got their equaliser three minutes later, finishing a counter-attack with Pádraig O'Toole fisting over a point. That all came before Healy's injury time heroics.
The game began with a quickfire goal by Westmeath's Shane Allen but McGraynor got one back for Wicklow in the sixth minute. They led 1-1 to 1-0 but Westmeath then raced ahead, scoring 1-5 - the goal coming from McCartan - before Wicklow managed a reply.
Then came Wicklow's first fightback of the game. McGraynor got two points, Jackson three, and Seamus Kenny one as they trailed just 1-7 to 2-6 at the break.
Westmeath emerged from the dressing rooms with intent, scoring six points on the bounce. Loughlin and Robbie Forde both got two-pointers from play, and each added a point from frees. They led by eight but then came another series of Wicklow counterpunches.
Eoin Darcy, Christopher O'Brien, Darragh Fee and a Jackson two-point free getting them within a goal. Forde put Westmeath four up but then a Darcy free, just moments before McGraynor's penalty and the drama which followed, got Wicklow within three.
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