Westmeath 2-16 Laois 1-11:DESPITE HAVING to play for over half the game with only 14 men, Westmeath qualified for a quarter-final meeting with Offaly with an eight-point win over Laois in Cusack Park on Saturday.
A fourth-minute goal from Enda Kincaid put the winners five points to the good, but Laois battled back, Patrick Keating’s soft goal reducing the margin to two points. However, Niall O’Brien responded with a well-taken goal.
With three minutes remaining in the first half, Westmeath corner-back Tommy Gallagher received a second yellow. His side led by 2-6 to 1-5 at the interval.
Westmeath had the most reliable freetaker on show in Aonghus Clarke and his early point from a placed ball stretched the winners’ lead on the change of ends. However, by the 48th minute, the visitors were within a goal.
A wholehearted Westmeath side made little of their numerical disadvantage and finished much the stronger.
Meanwhile, Carlow’s Daryl Roberts struck two goals in the county’s 4-10 to 1-9 victory over Kildare at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday.
SCORERS – Westmeath: Clarke (0-7, 0-5 from frees), A N O’Brien (1-3), C Scally (0-3), A Price (0-1), D Higgins (0-1), E Kincaid (1-0), J Boyle (0-1) Laois: S Maher (0-5, 0-3 from frees), P Keating (1-0), C Dwyer (0-2, 0-1 from a free), B Duggan (0-1, from a free), G Burke (0-1), B Reddin (0-1), R Foyle (0-1).
