Battling Louth end agony of 50-year wait

THAT only two points separated them in the end was a testament to Westmeath’s spirit, but Louth were full value for a win that puts them into the Leinster final for the first time since 1960.

Strangely, the celebrations were more muted than after they accounted for Kildare in the quarter-final, but thanks to that win, this team now has expectations.

They coped with the pressure of being favourites quite well and had the upper-hand for most of a game that didn’t really come to life until Westmeath’s Paul Bannon rammed a penalty to the net in the 48th minute.