Laois 2-15 Westmeath 2-9: Laois made virtually certain of their place in next year's Liam MacCarthy Cup by defeating Westmeath in a scrappy All-Ireland qualifier at sunny Cusack Park on Saturday evening.
James Young was the Laois hero, the classy centre forward contributing a remarkable tally of 1-13, as Dinny Cahill's side recorded their first competitive win of the season.
Westmeath, who haven't beaten Laois in the championship since 1968, are now bracing themselves for a relegation play-off to retain Tier One status for next year.
Séamus Qualter's side face a daunting trip to Pearse Stadium to play Galway in their final Group A game. They need to pull off a sensational victory over the Tribesmen to avoid the relegation play-off against the team that finishes bottom of Group B.
The game was slow to spring to life and Westmeath were wasteful, racking up five wides in the first 10 minutes.
A couple of pointed frees by James Young gave Laois a 0-2 to 0-1 lead, before a long delivery by Westmeath centre back Darren McCormack went all the way to the Laois net.
But Laois were back in front by the 21st minute, after Young added another two frees either side of a neat point from play by Mark Rooney.
Westmeath responded with points by Barry Kennedy and Derek McNicholas and, after Young and Westmeath's free-taker Andrew Mitchell exchanged points, the sides were level, 1-4 to 0-7, late in the first half.
A mistake by the Westmeath goalkeeper Mark Briody, however, allowed Mark Rooney to kick the sliotar to the net in first-half injury time. Briody was then yellow carded, after appearing to throw his hurl at Rooney in a desperate effort to prevent the goal.
Laois led 1-7 to 1-5 at half-time and Young blasted a 20-metre free to the Westmeath net five minutes after the restart to extend their advantage.
There was a lengthy stoppage early in the second half as Laois teenager Zane Keenan sustained a serious shoulder injury. He received medical attention before eventually being stretchered off. Combined stoppages led to almost 15 minutes of injury-time being played in the second half.
Young really stamped his class on proceedings in that second half, scoring a splendid collection of points from a variety of angles and distances.
Derek McNicholas scored a consolation goal for Westmeath in the 79th minute. Fittingly, Young had the last say, converting a late free.
LAOIS: P Mullaney; B Campion, P Cuddy, J Walsh; C Healy, D Rooney, M McEvoy (0-1); J Phelan, J Fitzpatrick; E Meagher, J Young (1-13, 1-8 from free, 0-1 from 65), Z Keenan; T Fitzgerald, M Rooney (1-1), D Culleton. Subs: P Russell for Keenan (inj 48 mins); S Dollard for Meagher (55 mins); W Hyland for Fitzpatrick (60 mins).
WESTMEATH: M Briody; C Jordan, C Murtagh, P Greville; G Gavin, D McCormack (1-0), N Gavin; J Shaw, B Connaughton; D McNicholas (1-1), B Murtagh, A Mitchell (0-7, all frees); B Kennedy (0-1), D Carty, J Clarke. Subs: E Loughlin for Connaughton (half-time); B Smyth for Carty (52 mins); P Gilsenan for Kennedy (56 mins); D Faulkner for Loughlin (83 mins).
Referee: J O'Mahony (Limerick).
