Westmeath minors survive Carlow test as Louth await

Westmeath will face Louth in the quarter-finals of the Leinster MFC thanks to victory over Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park last night (Thursday).

David Geoghegan's charges were five points adrift at half-time (1-6 to 0-4), but goals from midfielder Rory McCaul and Tubberclair's Sean Whittaker helped to secure victory on a 2-12 to 2-9 scoreline.

Both of Carlow's goals were scored by Ronan Dooley and while his second caused Westmeath some nervy moments late on, the Barrowsiders were unable to pull the game out of the fire. A superbly taken point by attacking ace Will Scahill sealed victory for the visitors.

Westmeath will now face Louth in one of two quarter-finals in Hunterstown, close to Ardee, next Thursday night, May 1 (throw-in 7.30pm). Offaly will meet Meath in the other quarter-final at Páirc Tailteann on the same evening, with Kildare and Dublin awaiting the winners in the semi-finals.

Kildare defeated Westmeath in their last group game last week by 0-22 to 1-13, in a contest which saw the aforementioned Scahill score 1-7.

The Westmeath camp was no doubt relieved to get over the challenge of Carlow, but an improvement in overall performance will be required in order to defeat Louth next week.

Scorers - Westmeath: S Whittaker 1-3; R McCaul 1-0; C Fleming 0-3 (1f); W Scahill, S McWade 0-2 each; W Geraghty, R Tully 0-1 each. Carlow: R Dooley 2-0; M Buggy 0-4 (1 2p, 1f); B Curry, A Fitzgerald, M Byrne, F Byrne, A Doyle (f) 0-1 each.

Westmeath - John Paul; Anthony King Carroll, Eoin Donohue, Sean Keegan; Conor Casey, Sean Byrne, Ross Tully; Cian Fleming, Rory McCaul; Finn Higgins, Dean Kelly, William Geraghty; Stephen McWade, Will Scahill, Sean Whittaker. Subs: Jack Duignan for Geraghty (45 mins), Oisin McAuley for Fleming (48), Darragh Deegan for Higgins (59).