National Hurling League Division Two round-up:It took a point from centre forward Matthew Whelan three minutes into injury-time to rescue Laois against Carlow in their Division Two A encounter at Dr Cullen Park yesterday, as it finished 1-9 to 0-12.
This was a story of two free-takers, James Young of Laois and Carlow's Brendan Lawler, both of whom ended up with 0-8.
At half-time a shock result looked on the cards as the home county led 1-6 to 0-5, and Carlow continued to impress after the interval, as Laois had Whelan to thank for rescuing a point.
A notable aspect of this game was that referee Michael O'Connor had to retire injured after 15 minutes, to be replaced by linesman Eamon Morris of Dublin.
Although missing out on the closing stages of the league, Meath still finished their campaign with a less than impressive 2-12 to 0-14 win over a battling Armagh at Páirc Tailteann.
Some fine point-talking by Neil Hackett boosted the home side while Declan Coulter was the Ulster outfit's top performer, sending over nine points, seven from play.
Two badly-needed second-half goals from Wicklow corner forward Wayne O'Gorman set them up for a hard-earned 3-11 to 2-12 win over Derry at Arklow yesterday. Unbeaten Wicklow thus booked their place in the semi-finals.
In Division Two B, Kildare fell to their first defeat when they went down to a comprehensive 3-10 to 0-8 defeat to Kerry at Newbridge.
Kerry led all the way after Mike Slattery pointed and Kieran Hanafin added a goal in the fifth minute. Billy White opened Kildare's account from a free but Mike Dooley secured Kerry's second goal late in the half, helping the visitors to a 2-3 to 0-5 interval lead.
Westmeath progressed to the semi-finals after a thoroughly deserved 2-11 to 1-8 victory over London at Ruislip yesterday.
After failing to win a game and forcing a draw with Mayo, Division Three beckons for London's hurlers next year.
Playing with the advantage of a strong breeze in the opening half Westmeath were soon in control when points from an Andy Mitchell free, John Shaw and Barry Kennedy followed by a Danny Carty goal opened up a 1-3 to 0-0 lead in the opening quarter.
SCORERS
Carlow - B Lawler (0-8, five frees, '65); J Coady (1-1); Laois - J Young (0-8, four frees, two '65s, one line ball); W Hyland (0-3), M Whelan (0-1).
Meath - M Cole (1-2, 0-2 frees, '65); N Hackett (0-5); P Durnin (1-0); S Clynch (0-2); A Liddane, S Donoghue, J Meyler (0-1 each); Armagh - D Coulter (0-9, 0-1 pen, 0-1 free); C Christie, G Enright, P McCormack, C McCann, F Bradley (0-1 each).
Wicklow - W O'Gorman (2-2); E Glynn (1-0); J O'Neill (0-5, frees); S Furlong (0-3); Don Hyland (0-1); Derry - S McBride (2-2); R Convery (0-5); K Hinphey (0-2); B Dodds, R Kennedy, G O'Kane (0-1 each).
Kerry - M Dooley (2-1); M Slattery 0-6 (five frees, '65); K Hanafin (1-1); M Conway, T Flynn (0-1 each); Kildare - M Dowd (frees), B White ( frees), B Byrne (0-2 each); T Spain, T Murphy (0-1 each).
Westmeath - A Mitchell (1-7, five frees, '65); D Carty (1-0); R Whelan, J Shaw, D McNicholas, B Kennedy (0-1 each); London - J Quinlan (0-6, five frees, '65); M Finn (1-1); E Phelan (0-1).
