Cheddar Plunkett joy as Cha Dwyer goal turns tide for Laois

Laois 1-20 Westmeath 1-17: A second half goal from Cha Dwyer sparked a stirring Laois comeback as they ran out three-point winners over Westmeath in O’Moore Park.

The O’Moore men trailed by seven points early in the second half after Brendan Murtagh’s goal, but they didn’t panic and slowly reeled Westmeath in. The victory here also means they top the qualifying group on the head-to-head ruling, and so they will now play Offaly, while Westmeath face Wexford, with both games on June 7.

Speaking after the game, manager Cheddar Plunkett said: “We used the word ‘relentless’ before the match, that we were just going to stay in the game and keep fighting to the very last minute, and what I asked of the players I got, and I’m delighted we got the win.”