Westmeath 0-14
Laois 0-11

Westmeath qualified for their first Cadbury Leinster U21FC final in 10 years when they overcame 14-man Laois following a titanic battle at Cusack Park yesterday.

Played before a 2,200-strong attendance, the game's turning point came 10 minutes into the second half when Laois' Adam Ryan was issued with a straight red card. The half forward had just put his side back into the lead but, as he returned to his position, he struck Westmeath centre back Kieran Martin and was sent off by referee Fergus Kelly on the advice of his linesman.

Three frees from man of the match Ian Coffey gave Westmeath an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead, but the wind-assisted visitors fought back to lead by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break after the sides had been level four times.

Midfielder Donie Kingston had been the game's dominant figure in the first half, but his influence waned after the restart as the Westmeath pair Denis Corroon and John Heslin began to get on top.

Scores from Kingston and Paul Cahillane pushed the 2007 Leinster minor champions into a 0-9 to 0-6 lead on the restart, but the home side rallied and were level by the 39th minute.

Then came the dismissal of Ryan and Westmeath made the most of their numerical advantage to book their place in the final against Dublin thanks to points from Heslin, Callum McCormack, Coffey, James Durkan, Conor Lynam and Paul Sharry. Tweet

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