Leinster football: Westmeath U20s see off reigning champs Kildare, Dublin overcome Wicklow despite late surge

In Group 1, Laois were pushed harder than maybe expected before a late Colin Dunne free sealed a 1-12 to 1-10 win in Carlow.

Kildare have the chance to put things right in the three team group against Wexford next week. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

SECOND half goals from Brian Cooney and Matthew Wittaker were enough for Westmeath to see off defending Leinster U20 champions Kildare at a wet and windy Centre of Excellence in Newbridge.

Through difficult conditions, Kildare, who started with seven players who featured in last year’s All-Ireland U20 final, scored the first four points of the game over the course of the opening 25 minutes but failed to capitalise on a spell of almost 20 minutes against 14 men after both Westmeath midfielders Dylan Murtagh and Ben Killian were shown black cards.