Armagh v Westmeath Match Report

16 March 2003

Armagh 2-16 Westmeath 1-21
Armagh lost 2-16 to 1-21 at the opening of Felix Hamill Park in Maghery yesterday, writes Joe McManus. The beautiful day, coupled with the idyllic Lough Shore setting, spacious pitch and fast flowing football made it an enjoyable spectacle. Armagh parading seven of their All-Ireland side opened with a Tony McEntee goal in the first minute and excellent strikes from Steven McDonnell had them 1-11 to 0-8 ahead at the break.

Armagh made several second half changes and Westmeath took control with JP Casey and Fergal Wilson adding to their personal scoring tallies. Tony McEntee's second revived Armagh who led 2-16 to 0-18 with five minutes remaining. But their opponents who kept their shoulders to the wheel pounced for a brilliant late goal from mid-fielder Martin Flanagan and points from JP Casey and PJ Ward gave them a deserved victory. The ball was thrown in by Kevin Rafferty member of the '77 team.

- The Irish News