LAOIS maintained their challenge for Division Two honours at O'Moore Park yesterday when they easily accounted for Westmeath. Laois opened the scoring after two minutes with a point from a free by David Cuddy and, aided by the strong breeze, led 0-3 to 0-0 after five minutes.

An opportunist goal by Fionan O'Sullivan left Laois ahead 1-3 after six minutes.

The visitors' opening score did not come until the end of the first quarter, when centre halfback Christy Murtagh converted from a 65.

Laois dominated the second quarter, but a Sean McLoughlin goal after 24 minutes kept Westmeath's hopes alive, and when the same player shot a second goal in the 28th minute, direct from a 65, only two points separated the sides.

However in the dying minutes of the opening half, Laois finished the strongest. David Cuddy pointed from play and full forward P J Cuddy added his side's second goal on the call of half-time, to leave Laois ahead 2-7 to 2-1.

The Westmeath challenge faded completely in the second half. The home side added three points in the opening five minutes, and goals by Declan Rooney and PJ Cuddy midway through the second half ended the game as a contest.

Sean McLoughlin had two points for the visitors, their only scores for the second half, and substitute Peadar Cleary completed the rout with Laois' fifth goal five minutes from time.