Longford bowed out of the Leinster championship after an eight point defeat to Westmeath.
The GAA’s El Classico was far from it in poor conditions in TEG Cusack Park as Westmeath won out 3-13 to 0-14.
Longford found themselves eight points down at half-time. 1-9 to four points and that gap was too much for BIlly O’Loughlin’s men.
Longford started fastest in this one, Daniel Reynolds, Mickey Quinn and Dessie Reynolds firing Longford three points to one ahead on eight minutes.
However that was as good as it got, two John Heslin points and one each from Alex Gardiner and Nigel Harter put Westmeath two ahead.
Alex Gardiner, Nigel Harte and Heslin made it 1-8 to three points seven minutes before the break. Heslin found the Longford net on 25 minutes, putting too much distance between the sides.
Heslin sent over a free two minutes before the break. Darren Gallagher converted a free for Longford’s first point for 27 minutes. Westmeath led 1-9 to 0-4.
Ray Connellan and another Heslin point moved Westmeath 10 clear by the 43rd minute. Gallagher got Longford’s first score of the half two minutes later.
Westmeath’s temporary sub Ronan O'Toole came on for Ray Connellan and immediately found the net finishing off the game with 20 minutes remaining.
Longford did fight back and put some respectability on the scoreboard with points from Dylan Farrell with two points from frees and Darren Gallagher from play.
Darragh Doherty, Keelin McGann and a Paddy Collumn free left the score 2-11 to 10 points on 58 minutes.
Ray Connellan and Gallagher exchanged points as did Lorcan Dolan and Kevin Diffley.
Robbie Forde wrapped the game up with Westmeath’s third goal. Longford’s Dylan Farrell sent over the game’s final point but it’s the Tailtean Cup.
