GAA: Westmeath 0-12 Offaly 0-6:CAPTAIN CONOR Lynam led the way as Westmeath advanced with a comfortable win over their neighbours at Athlone last night. Lynam scored six points (five from play) as Westmeath ran out convincing winners on a night when the swirling wind at Páirc Chiaráin made scoring difficult.

Westmeath had built a 0-5 to 0-0 lead by the 17th minute and the visitors’ first score didn’t arrive until the 21st minute. That point came from Brian Connor, who was one of only two Offaly players to score, the other being corner-forward Bernard Allen.

With Ian Coffey in form from frees and wing-back James Dolan contributing two points, Westmeath ran out handy winners.

WESTMEATH: E Carberry; B Moran, K Sheridan, K Maguire; M McCallon, K Martin, J Dolan (0-2); D Keenan, D Daly; A Corroon, C Lynam (0-6, 1f), G Egan; I Coffey (0-4, 4f), C McCormack, T McDaniel. Subs: J Gilligan for Martin (inj, 22 mins); D McNicholas for McDaniel (25); S Flanagan for Keenan (53); J Egan for Corroon (53).

OFFALY: G Sheil; J Ledwith, J Maloney, J McPadden; A Murphy, C McDonald, C Donohue; B Connor (0-5, 4f), B Geraghty; G Guilfoyle, R Allen, M Brazil; B Allen (0-1), P Rigney, P McPadden. Subs: S Guing for McDonald (25 mins); D Heffernan for P McPadden (56).

Referee: F Barry (Kildare).

Next up...

The Leinster under-21 football semi-finals are scheduled for Wednesday, March 23rd, with Wexford taking on Carlow, and Longford meeting Westmeath. Venues and times to be announced.

The provincial final is set for Wednesday, April 6th.