Down cut it fine after Westmeath fought back in second half reducing Down’s lead to just 3 points
Allianz GAA Football League 2026,
NFL Division 3, Round 3,
Venue: Pairc Esler, 14 2 26,
Final Score: Down 2-15 1-15 Westmeath.
Down Manager Conor Laverty will be delighted at his side’s win over Westmeath who have over the years always proven to be formidible adversaries.
Down, positioned in the NFL Division 3, is looking for promotion next season and with three straight wins on the cards they are off to a flying start writes Jim Masson.
Daniel Guinness has been a shining light for Down through the first two rounds scoring 5 points in each match and is battle-hardened for the season ahead.
Westmeath opened the scoring with a point then on 5 minutes Adam Crimmins pointed to level the score followe dby a point from John McGeough.
Odhran Murdock took a point but Westmeath were pressing hard and levelled the scoring a 0-5 to 0-5. But despite the Westmeath resurgence, Down settled down to play some great football. Daniel Guinness took a point on 23 minutes which seemed to signal that Down were to go up a gear.
He shook off two opponents on 25 minutes and kicked well to score under pressure. The points gap now started to widen.
Guinness was on fire and despite the terrible weather conditions, fought hard for his team. He received a through ball from Crimmins and quickly sent it over the bar.
See Action Photos on Down v Westmeath on Down News Facebook
Then on 33 minutes, Ryan Magill received a pass from McGeough and scored well. Psychologically, it was a good time to score a goal just before half-time. It widened the gap to 8 points of a lead for Down boosting their confidence.
Westmeath immediately fought back but Down broke again and McGeough roared into the Westmeath goalmouth but the referee blew for a square ball as the ball bounced into the Westmeath net. But despite not getting the points, it sent a message to Westmeath that Down were on a mission.
As the second half commenced, the heavy sleet continued and Down quickly took a point with little resistance as Ceilum Doherty surged forward. Then Crimmins took another point. Yes despite this Westmeath fought on trying to turn their fortune round but Down’s defence was working well.
Guinness took another point increasing the score to 1-13 to 0-8. Down were still comfortablly ahead at this juncture.
Down’s Pat Havern then turned the screws and scored a goal again increasing the Down lead 12 points.
But Westmeath went up a gear just when Down seemed to blink and points from sub Sam Smyth, Luke Loughlin, and sub Jack Duncan brought Westmeath once again into a position when they could turn the game round. Down must have sensed this change in intentions in the visitors.
A goal from Ryan Magill had kept Down ahead of the increasing threat from Westmeath.
Gradually Westmeath closed the gap and Barry O’Hagan volleyed at the Down goal and hit the post and Westmeath collected a goal for their efforts.
But incredibly Westmeath were just two points in the deficit in the closing minutes and a goal would turn the game. However, it was Ceilum Doherty who scored a point for Down meaning that they at worst could settle with a draw.
But Down hung on and Westmeath could not rally enough to find that elusive goal despite a great fight giving both Down and Westmeath fans plenty to shout about.
This was another sound but narrow win for Down, and as expected, Westmeath put up a strong fight and will in their next encounter be looking to redress the balance.
Up next for Down is their Round 4 match in Wexford at 2pm at Chadwick’s Wexford Park on Sunday 22nd February 2026.
Down starting team: 1. Ronan Burns (GK) 2 Peter Fegan 3 Pierce Laverty 4 Callum Rogers 5 Pearse McPolin 6 Ryan Magill 7 Daniel Guinness 8 Odhran Murdock Ryan McEvoy 10 Adam Crimmins 11 Ceilum Doherty 12 Shane Annett 13 Barry O’Hagan 14 Pat Havern 15 John McGeough.
Westmeath starting team: 1 Jack Connaughton 2 Danny Scahill 3 Charlie Drumm 4 Boidu Sayeh 5 Ronan Wallace 6 Tadhg Baker 7 Jonathan Lynam 8 Shane Allen 9 Ray Connellan 10 Kevin Sullivan 11 Sam McCartan 12 Matthew Whittaker 13 Danny McCartan 14 Luke Loughlin 15 Senan Baker.
