Easy for Westmeath

WESTMEATH booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Leinster U-21FC thanks to a 10-point win over Laois in O’Moore Park last night. Pat Flanagan’s team were missing star midfielder John Heslin, but still had far too much for the hosts, and now progress to meet Offaly on March 9.

The home side started brightly, James Doyle winning a free which was converted by wing-forward Luke Doyle. Laois failed to build on that, however, and Westmeath punished them with three points on the trot, all from placed balls, with Conor Lynam (2) and Ian Coffey on target.

Laois grabbed a point from Kieran Lillis, but Westmeath built up a three-point lead before winning a penalty when wing-back James Dolan was fouled. Coffey tucked away the resulting spot kick. Westmeath led 1-6 to 0-3 at the break.