Heslin helps Lake cause

Westmeath had little difficulty in brushing aside Carlow in this provincial quarter-final played at IT Carlow last night.

The home side were competitive for the opening half and held Westmeath to 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time.

Westmeath brought recently returned AFL player John Heslin from full forward to midfield before half-time and the St Loman’s, Mullingar man made his mark with three second half points, one a superb long range effort.

The Westmeath defence completely dominated the second period with Kieran Sheridan, David Gavin, Ben Moran and Kevin Maguire outstanding.

Scorers for Westmeath: C McCormack 0-3, J Heslin 0-3 (0-2f), K Reilly 0-2 (0-1f), G Egan, T English and S Daly (0-1) each.

Scorers for Carlow: C Moran 0-2, A Kenny 0-1.

WESTMEATH: E Carbery; K Sheridan, D Gavin, S Gilmore; D Malynn, B Moran, K Maguire; T English, S Flanagan; G Egan, K Reilly, J Gonoud; S Daly, J Heslin, C McCormack 0-3.

Subs: A Coffey for Flanagan (h/t); J Rock for Malynn (50); P Fennell for Daly (55); C Boyle for Gonoud (58); A Stone for McCormack (60).

CARLOW: D Murphy; S Murphy, C Lawlor, J Kenny; J Byrne, B Lambe, M Doyle; D Foley, L Sheppard; A Kenny, C Moran, M Fitzgerald; C Wall, J Kennedy, D O’Brien.

Subs: J Sutton for Lawlor (injured) (21); D Roberts for O’Brien (38); M Mullen for Fitzgerald (38); E Fitzgerald for Wall (44).

Referee: F Barry (Kildare).