Cavan have missed out on a Tailteann Cup title as a final quarter surge saw Westmeath record a 2-14 to 1-13 victory in the decider at Croke Park.
Mickey Graham's men were two points clear 13 minutes from time before Westmeath emerged victorious after hitting 1-3 without reply.
The opening 15 minutes were evenly contested as the sides traded three points each; Gerard Smith, Patrick Lynch and Oisin Kiernan were on target for Cavan.
The sides were level on a further three occasions during the half before Gearoid McKiernan gave Cavan a two-point buffer on 26 minutes.
Westmeath responded impressively and two minutes later Jack Cooney’s side moved a point clear when Lorcan Dolan found the net.
The Midlanders subsequently moved three points clear before Cavan’s Patrick Lynch landed a delightful score on the stroke of half-time as Cavan trailed 1-8 to 0-9 at the break.
Westmeath stretched their lead to three points within as many minutes of the restart and four minutes later, Cavan’s Jason McLoughlin brought it back to a one-point game.
A Padraig Faulkner goal gave Cavan a one-point lead on 52 minutes; he finished to the net after Westmeath goalkeeper Jason Daly parried a dropping ball from James Smith.
Patrick Lynch pushed Cavan two points clear 60 second later before Cavan’s Thomas Galligan received a red card for a frontal challenge on Ronan O’Toole with 12 minutes remaining.
The sending off proved to be a turning point as Westmeath dominated the closing stages and Kieran Martin sealed victory with a well-taken goal three minutes from time.
