Westmeath pulled off the upset of the championship so far this summer after coming from 17 points down to defeat Wexford by 4-18 to 2-22 at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

This Leinster SHC fourth round tie looked done and dusted once Rory O’Connor’s shot hit the visitors’ net to give the Slaneysiders a 2-10 to 0-2 lead in the 23rd minute.

Darragh Egan’s side would open it up to 2-14 to 0-3 some 10 minutes later and eventually took in a 16-point advantage at the half.

No one could’ve predicted what was next as Westmeath hit 1-4 without reply after the changes of ends, with Niall O’Brien supplying the goal, and the visitors’ momentum and resolve blossomed stronger from there.

Ciaran Doyle, who finished with 0-10, kept the points coming for the trailers and O’Brien’s second goal had the scoreboard reading 2-21 to 2-13 with seven minutes remaining.

Niall Mitchell would net again for the Lake County three minutes later and the heat was well and truly on the Model men when he fired in his second major with the game headed for injury-time.

Joe Fortune’s charges would puck over two more points in that period to seal the incredible turnaround victory that now leaves them needing a draw against Antrim at least to confirm their Leinster SHC status for next year.

The sensational result also marked Westmeath’s first hurling championship win over Wexford since 1940.

The biggest win in Westmeath hurling history! They come from 17 down to beat Wexford!

Unbelieveable stuff!! pic.twitter.com/VHZtfo4jy8

— Michael Verney (@mlverney) May 21, 2023

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