Flanagan not going to 'make snap decisions' after Fermanagh defeat

Fermanagh 3-10
Westmeath 1-15

A late point from Fermanagh’s John Woods upset all the odds and ditched Westmeath out of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers at Mullingar yesterday.

Although admitting his bitter disappointment, Westmeath boss Pat Flanagan has reserved making a decision on his future.

"I’m not going to make any decision on that at this moment in time. After a defeat like that it is very very disappointing but I am long enough around now not to make snap decisions," he told the Westmeath Examiner.

The Ernesiders, rank underdogs, led 2-5 to 0-7 at the break after some porous Westmeath defending led to goals for Conor Quigley (13) and Damian Kelly (25).

Seán Quigley notched up four first half points for the visitors, while Kelly continuously roamed from his starting position at corner back – causing numerous problems for the hosts.

Points from Denis Glennon and Denis Corroon kept Westmeath in touch however, and early in the second half, a John Heslin penalty levelled matters.

A point from Ger Egan gave the Lake County their first lead of the afternoon, but the Ernesiders persisted, and scored 1-2 without reply, including a remarkable individual goal from Ryan Jones (48).

Westmeath responded with frees from John Heslin, but they were never really at the races, and their case wasn’t helped by Kieran Martin’s dismissal for a second booking on 62 minutes.

The hosts stayed in contention thanks only to Fermanagh’s wayward kicking – they clocked up a paltry 20 wides over the 70 minutes – and a late brace from Callum McCormack appeared to force extra time.

But when it counted, Fermanagh punished Westmeath’s defensive shortcomings, with Woods gifted a stoppage time point and a deserved win.