Gaelic Games

Westmeath hurlers progress as Alan Devine lands late goals

London relegated after tense match in Mullingar

Westmeath’s Ciarán Curley: was red-carded in 49th minute against London in their Leinster senior hurling qualifier. Photograph: Inpho
Westmeath’s Ciarán Curley: was red-carded in 49th minute against London in their Leinster senior hurling qualifier. Photograph: Inpho
Mon May 26 2014 - 01:00

Westmeath 2-12 London 1-12

Two late goals from corner forward Alan Devine ensured a play-off match for Westmeath against the Christy Ring Cup winners to decide who gets a place in next year’s draw for the Liam McCarthy Cup, as the home side edged out London (who are now relegated) in a tense game in Mullingar last Saturday afternoon.

The first half produced scrappy hurling, with Eoin Kelly’s accuracy from placed balls helping the Exiles to a 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead against a wasteful Westmeath who shot nine wides, three of them clear goal chances. In injury-time, London midfielder Darren Moore was sent off having picked up a second yellow card.

In the 49th minute, Westmeath's Ciaran Curley was red-carded and with Kelly still on form from frees, a shock looked on the cards. However, Westmeath took the lead for the first time (0-12 to 0-11) in the 59th minute from a Niall O'Brien free. Two minutes later, London's Conor Hickey became the third player to be dismissed before Alan Devine pounced for his side's first goal. In the last minute of normal time, Devine neatly found the net for a second time. In added-time, Kelly blasted a 20-metre free to the net, but the Exiles were unable to manufacture a last-gasp equaliser (which would have saved them from relegation) as Niall O'Brien became the fourth player to be sent off when he was shown a second yellow card in what was a far from dirty contest. WESTMEATH: P Collins; K Duncan, T Doyle, L Varley (0-1); G Greville, A Craig, P Reilly; P Gilsenan (0-1), C Curley; R Greville, E Price, A Clarke (0-3); A Devine (2-3), D McNicholas, N O'Brien (0-4, three frees). Sub: T Gallagher for McNicholas (53 mins). LONDON: J Barrett; C McAlinden, R Foy, C Hickey; E Cooney, PJ Rowe, S Frawley; D Moore, D Egan (0-1); M Lynch, E Kelly (1-8, 1-7 frees), K Killilea; H Vaughan (0-2), M Duggan (0-1), P Cocoman. Subs: L Hands for Cocoman (48 mins), B Regan for Lynch (50 mins), P Barry for Vaughan (67 mins, inj.), M Holohan for Killilea (69 mins). Referee: E Hassan (Derry).