LEINSTER UNDER-21 FC SEMI-FINAL: Longford 0-10 Westmeath 0-9:LONGFORD BRIDGED a five-year gap to reach the Leinster final at the expense of Westmeath, who finished last night's semi-final at Páirc Tailteann with 14 men.

Westmeath, who left midfielder John Heslin, eligible again after suspension, on the bench, looked the better side for much of the first half, and with Conor Lynam slotting over four frees, they led by 0-5 to 0-1 after 21 minutes.

Longford, who surprisingly ousted Meath at the same venue two weeks earlier, were handicapped by the absence of talented centre-forward Pádraig Gill, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.

They finished the first half strongly with points from John Keegan, James McGivney (free) and promising minor Robbie Smith leaving the board reading 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Longford maintained the good work on the resumption with James McGivney levelling the scores.

That prompted Westmeath to bring on Heslin.

However, he lasted only a little more than a quarter-hour before seeing a straight red card on 49 minutes.

Westmeath still led by 0-9 to 0-7 with eight minutes left.

However, Longford, who have never won the Leinster under-21 title, made the extra man tell after that, with Pádraig McCormack leaving the sides level for the fifth time before McGivney sealed the win from a free.

LONGFORD: P Columb; J Carroll, F Battrim, A Quinn; S Mahon, C Smith, D Cooney; K Diffley, J Keegan (0-1); P McCormack (0-1), J McGivney (0-4, 3f), M Mulvey; R Smith (0-2, 1f), D Gallagher, JJ Matthews (0-1). Subs: P Devine for Carroll (13 mins), P Reynolds (0-1) for Gallagher (21 mins), C Keegan for Mulvey (47 mins), J Noonan for Smith (56 mins), D Gallagher for Mahon (60 mins).

WESTMEATH: E Carberry; B Moran, K Sheridan, K Maguire; M McCallon, K Martin, J Dolan; D Keenan, D Daly; A Corroon (0-1), C Lynam (0-6, frees), G Egan; I Coffey (0-1, free), C McCormack, T McDaniel (0-1). Subs: J Heslin for Keenan (33 mins), J Gilligan for Corroon (52 mins).

Referee: B O'Shea(Dublin).