Westmeath county star John Heslin guided his club St. Loman's Mullingar to the county senior football title this afternoon.
The 31-year-old kicked four points, all from frees, as his side just about got the better of a spirited Coralstown Kinnegad side by two points, winning on a 0-09 to 0-07 scoreline.
Coralstown Kinnegad were looking to win only their second title and first since 1996 and despite being underdogs put in an impressive performance, ultimately falling just short.
St. Loman's victory means that they have now won three of the last four county senior championships and ten in total.
2023 Shay Murtagh Precast Senior Football Champions - St Loman's, Mullingar.
Congratulations to all involved
🏆 🏆 🏆 #westmeathgaa#whclubchamp2023 pic.twitter.com/W6249HQ8Mn— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) October 1, 2023
The game was tightly contested however St. Loman's did lead by four points at half-time. Coralstown Kinnegad managed to claw their way back into the game and a monster point from Darren Giles levelled things up with less than 15 minutes to go.
There was drama in injury time as Coralstown Kinnegad pushed hard for victory but on the counter attack TJ Cox put two between the sides as he slotted over a point.
John Heslin reacts to St. Loman's Mullingar victory
Heslin was delighted after the game when speaking to Micheál Ó Domhnaill of TG4.
"We knew it was going to be a battle out there today," he said.
"We put the shoulder to the wheel, came out on top and grinded it out. It's great for the club today.
"We kept to the scoreboard ticking, pushed up on their kickouts and as I said grinded it out. It was a fight."
#GAABEO Lán Ama
"We put the shoulder to the wheel and came out on top"
Is é John Heslin Laoch na hImeartha inniu i tar éis taispeáinteas den scoth i gcomhair Naomh Lomán.@StLomansGAAClub | @westmeath_gaa
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/6aGqtUBYWw— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 1, 2023
As captain Heslin, who became Westmeath's record championship scorer in 2022, had the honour of collecting the cup.
Having lost last year's final to The Downs this year's success is sure to be that little bit sweeter.
The Westmeath champions now head into the Leinster Championship where they will play the still to be determined Wexford champions in three weeks time.
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