Westmeath have measure of Longford as they make the goals count

Westmeath 3-13 Longford 0-14

Westmeath qualified for the Leinster football semi-finals after a convincing win against Longford in miserable conditions for football in Mullingar, thereby avenging their recent surprise league defeat at the same venue.

Ironically, Longford started the brighter with points from Daniel Reynolds and Michael Quinn putting them two ahead after six minutes. A lot of the play was cagey and it was 0-3 each at the quarter-hour mark, Longford's other point coming from Dessie Reynolds, while the home team registered scores from Alex Gardiner and two John Heslin frees.

However, Westmeath went on to dominate the rest of the first half, with wing back Nigel Harte kicking two outstanding points, and Gardiner also adding a brace to his earlier point.

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In the 28th minute, a Westmeath counterattack ended with Ger Egan being denied by Paddy Colum, but Heslin was on hand to rifle the rebound to the net. The home side led by 1-9 to 0-4 at the interval.

In the 49th minute Ronan Toole, on as a temporary sub for Ray Connellan, finished off a great move with a low shot to the net to put Westmeath ahead by 2-11 to 0-5, and firmly in control.

To their credit, Longford never threw in the towel and they scored six points without reply between the 50th and 63rd minutes with their subs making a good impression.

Billy O'Loughlin's side went all-out to try and manufacture a goal. However, it was Westmeath who raised another green flag deep into added-time when sub Robbie Forde rounded off a fine move in which their excellent centre half back Ronan Wallace had been very prominent.

WESTMEATH: J Daly; J Smith, K Maguire, D Giles; J Gonoud, R Wallace, N Harte (0-2); J Lynam, R Connellan (0-2); S McCartan, G Egan, D Lynch; L Loughlin, J Heslin (1-5, four frees), A Gardiner (0-3).

Subs: R O'Toole (1-0) for Connellan (temp, 44 mins), R O'Toole for Egan (49), L Dolan (0-1) for Loughlin (60), K Martin for Gardiner (67), R Forde (1-0) for Lynam (67), C Drumm for Giles (70+2).

LONGFORD: P Collum (0-1, a 45); P Fox, A Farrell, B O'Farrell; J Moran, M Quinn (0-1), I O'Sullivan; K Diffley (0-1), D Gallagher (0-4, two frees, one 45); O Kenny, E McCormack, Dessie Reynolds (0-1); J Matthews, Daniel Reynolds (0-1), M Hughes.

Subs: K McGann (0-1) for Hughes (31 mins), D Farrell (0-3, three frees) for Kenny, D Doherty (0-1) for Matthews (both h-t), R Moffett for McCormack (51), C Dooner for Daniel Reynolds (63).

Referee: B Cawley (Kildare).