Laois win high-scoring encounter

Laois 3-18 Westmeath 2-20

A 71st-minute point from John Brophy guided Laois through to the NHL Division Two final today after Seamus Qualter's Westmeath side had launched a determined second half comeback.

Laois led 2-11 to 1-10 at half-time in Tullamore, thanks to two goals from Tommy Fitzgerald. Westmeath showed their intent with an early goal from Paddy Dowdall.

Fitzgerald won a 49th-minute penalty, which James Young dispatched to the net, and Laois looked strong.

But they still required Brophy's late score after 10-point full-forward Daniel Carty had inspired Westmeath, who notched a late goal through Ronan Whelan, back into the tie.