Carlow proved themselves the dark horses of the Leinster championship after seeing off Westmeath at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday.

Daniel St Ledger started it all off when he sent a free from 50 metres to the back of the Westmeath net on three minutes to help the home side to a 1-7 to 0-7 half-time lead.

In the first three minutes of the second half points from Thomas McDaniel and Conor Lynam cut the Carlow lead to the minimum. Carlow regained their composure, however, and were soon three points up.

On 54 minutes Bill O'Connor scored a second Carlow goal which killed off Westmeath's hopes.

CARLOW: P Hughes; BJ Molloy, A Callinan, D McInerney; S Redmond (0-1), D St Ledger (1-3, 1-2 frees, 0-1 45), G Nolan; B Murphy (0-2), M Clowry; B O'Connor (1-1), C Murphy (0-4, two frees), J Roberts; D Murphy, D Kinsella, C Mullins (0-2). Sub: J Lowry for Roberts (49 mins).

WESTMEATH: D Quinn; D McGovern, D O'Toole, T Mescall; D Corroon, R Doyle, M Dunne (0-1); M Flanagan, C Lynam (0-5, three frees); K Martin, D Tone, J Kenny; J Durkan (0-1), I Coffey (0-4, three frees), T McDaniel (0-2). Subs: J Egan for Martin (24 mins), G Keegan for Doyle (45 mins), D Keenan for Flanagan (46 mins), L Smyth for McDaniels (52 mins).

Referee: C Costello(Offaly).