A RESILIENT Westmeath side battled resolutely to deservedly earn a second chance in yesterday's Leinster championship semi final in Tullamore. A strong finish earned them a 0-12 to 2-6 draw.

Kildare should have changed ends in a stronger position after enjoying first half wind advantage, but with their forwards wasting a lot of scoring opportunities through erratic finishing, they instead turned over leading by just 1-5 to 0-5. Their goal came in the 11th minute, with Ivan Keathley and Barry Quinn creating the opening from which Pat Winders netted.

They paid for their eight first half wides. Westmeath made a series of changes and switches which saw them dominate the second half. However, a second Kildare goal, again in the 11th minute of the half, when Dermot Early scored from a penalty, kept them in front until the closing.

minutes when Thomas Cleary pointed twice to tie the scores.

Even then, Kildare had two chances of snatching a win, but Padraig Gravin failed to find the target from reasonably easy frees.

In Munster, Cork won their first round replay with Tipperary, 1-12 to 1-6. Although only one point in front at half time, Cork kept Tipperary to a single point in the second half while pulling away for an easy victory. Their forward line was led by impressive six point hero John O'Sullivan. The win sets them up for a provincial semi final clash with Waterford in Fermoy on Wednesday.

In Connacht, Galway mixed the brilliant with the mediocre in their championship semi final against Roscommon at Tuam, but in the end there was no doubting their superiority as they emerged 1-14 to 2-6 winners. Mayo won the other semifinal, beating Sligo 1-10 to 0-12.

In Ulster, Derry progressed to a championship decider against Fermanagh on Saturday whether they easily overcame Cavan at Ballinascreen. In a game which Derry dominated from the early minutes, goals from Sean McGyckin, Michael Gribbin and Adrian McGuckian laid the foundations for victory and their 10 point half time advantage was an indication of their superiority.

Fermanagh advanced to the final after they held off a spirited - late challenge by Tyrone at Healy Park, Omagh. Senior player Rory Gallagher was the star of the show, scoring three points and setting up two first half goals for Kieran Donnelly and Andrew Moohan.