An excellent second half performance by Westmeath ensured a comfortable victory at Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.

However, if Leitrim had taken advantage of the numerous scoring opportunities that came their way in an evenly-contested first half the final result might have been different.

Leitrim trailed 0-5 to 0-6 at the interval, but points from Westmeath's Dessie Dolan, Michael Ennis, Paul Conway, and Ger Heavin opened a five-point gap with 15 minutes to play.

Leitrim threw everything into attack and were rewarded with three excellent points from play by full forward Adrian Charles. The home team then went in search of a goal, but left gaping holes in their defence which were fully exploited with excellent long-range points from Dessie Dolan, Ger Heavin and Fergal Wilson.

With a final flurry of scores the visitors put the game beyond Leitrim.

WESTMEATH: C Mullin; D Brady, D Mitchell, F Murray; D Healy, A Canning, A Lyons; R O'Connell, P Conway (0-1); F Wilson, (0-5, two frees), M Flanagan (0-2), M Ennis (0-3); C Keane, D Dolan (0-3), G Heavin (0-5, one free). Subs: D Hughes for R O'Connor; D Gavin for C Keane.

LEITRIM: G Phelan; D Kelleher, J McKeon, M McGuinness; G Foley, C Murray, O McGuinness; B Guckian, P McDermott; T Kelleher, F McBrien, P Kieran (0-4, two frees); A Rooney (0-3, one free), A Charles (0-3), P Kenny. Subs: J Phelan for McGuinness; P McLoughlin for P Kenny; S Canning for F McBrien; M Duignan for A Rooney.

Referee: S McGonigle (Donegal).