Laois 0-24 Westmeath 3-8:LAOIS, WITH Michael John Tierney in sparking form, pushed Westmeath nearer relegation at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.Westmeath landed a goal through Paul Greville but they were fortunate to be two points in arrears at the break, 0-10 to 1-5.
Westmeath hit their second goal in the seventh minute of the second half, Martin Flanagan rifling the ball to the net. By the 13th minute, they had drawn level (0-13 to 2-7) but Laois added six points between the 14th and 26th minutes. A foul on Flanagan saw Darren Strong dismissed on a second yellow as Paul Bannon converted the penalty. However, Laois pulled away as Westmeath’s John Gaffey was sent off on a second yellow late on.
LAOIS:M Dowling; J Scully, D Booth, P McMahon; D Strong, M Timmons, C Begley (0-1); B Quigley, C Óg Greene; B Sheehan, P O'Leary (0-1), K Meaney (0-1); MJ Tierney (0-13, six frees), D. Kingston (0-4), N Donoher (0-3). Subs: D Rooney for Greene 55 mins, C Rogers (0-1) for O'Leary 56 mins, P Lalor for Kingston, 70 mins.
WESTMEATH:G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Gaffey; D Harte, D O'Donoghue, D Healy; G Flanagan (0-1), S Bracken; R Doolin, M Ennis (0-1); P Bannon (1-3, 1-0 pen, three frees); T Warburton (0-1), P Greville (1-2, one free), G Hoey. Subs: J Smyth for Doolin 24 mins, M Flanagan (1-0) for Hoey 30 mins, M Dalton for Bracken half-time, A Finnan for Warburton 60 mins, W Coyne for Healy 65 mins.
Referee:V Neary (Mayo).
