Limerick light up in the gloom

What a night, what a show. Something in these under-21 affairs often causes them to bubble furiously and such was the case in Portlaoise. By the end, Limerick had reached their first final at this level - and at the cost of title holders Westmeath as well.

Shakespeare would have thrown down his pencil long before the end. With the attendance eventually swelling to somewhere around 12,000, not even the miserable, drizzly conditions could dampen the atmosphere.

Westmeath had most of the madly partisan crowd behind them and another inspiring performance by team captain Des Dolan but that wasn't enough to counter the physical drive of Limerick.

Jason Stokes and John Galvin battled for every ball at midfield and up front Brian Begley and Colm Hickey were excellent. There were also strong defensive displays from Brian Geary and Stephen Fitzgerald - who moved back from the half-forward line early in the game.

On an ice rink of a pitch, Limerick had three players booked in the first 20 minutes by stand-in referee Pat O'Toole (Brendan O'Gorman got stuck in traffic) but it never spilled over into anything particularly malicious.

In the first half possession changed hands like a live grenade. Colm Hickey put Limerick ahead but Westmeath soon took the initiative. Richie Brown fired their first before Dolan twice slit the posts, from the spot and from play.

But Limerick never once wilted. Pat Ahern and Timmy Carroll put their names on the scoreboard, and with four points without reply - Hickey and then Mark Culhane added scores - they jumped into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.

Dolan managed one more before the break but they would never recover the lead. Begley fired his first and then another from Hickey as Limerick continued to press ahead. Westmeath briefly recovered when Dolan was pulled down in the area and with his inch-perfect penalty the sides were level again.

The decisive goal came 15 minutes from time: Begley created the space and when Stokes charged towards goal there was no question where the ball as going.

With no let-up in pace, Westmeath rallied, but Dolan shot a few costly wides. He managed two more pointed frees before the end, but Limerick would not be denied.

Limerick: M Keogh; M O'Riordan, P Fitzgerald, B Geary; N Conway, S Lucey (0-1), T Stack; J Stokes (1-0), J Galvin; P Ahern (0-1), T Carroll (0-1), M Culhane (0-1); C Fitzgerald, B Begley (0-1), C Hickey (0-3, one free). Subs: D Brouder for Carroll (58 mins).

Westmeath: G Connaughton; M Burke, J Keane, B Murphy; D Kilmartin, J Coyne, S Donoghue; K Burke, J Brennan; F Wilson, G Duffy, R Brown (0-1); JP Casey, D Heavin, D Dolan (1-5, four frees). Subs: T Carey for Duffy (10 mins); N Breslin for Duffy (33 mins); E Flemming for Wilson (57 mins).

Referee: P O'Toole (Longford).