Longford 0-10
Westmeath 0-9

John Heslin was sent off just 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute as favourites Westmeath crashed out of the Cadbury Leinster U21 Championship at the hands of a resilient Longford on Wednesday night.

Heslin, the St Loman's 18-year-old who is poised to complete a move to Aussie Rules side Gold Coast Suns this year, was left on the bench as Westmeath went with the same starting 15 which had been impressive against Offaly two weeks previously.

With Longford cancelling out a four-point early deficit to draw level early in the second half at Pairc Tailteann, Heslin was sprung from the bench in an attempt to steady the ship but he was shown a straight red card by Dublin referee Brian O'Shea 11 minutes from the end.

Despite his absence - to a second red card in as many appearances for the county over the past five weeks - Westmeath still looked on course for a place in the final when they opened up a two-point lead with five minutes left.

But Longford, who had stunned Meath at the same venue two weeks ago, had held their own throughout the hour, restricting a much vaunted Westmeath unit to just two scores from play.

They fought back well to level through points from JJ Matthews and Padraig McCormack, and James McGivney converted a late free to edge the underdogs into a decisive lead.

Longford: P Columb; J Carroll, F Battrim, A Quinn; S Mahon, CP Smith, D Cooney; K Diffley, J Keegan (0-1); P McCormack (0-1), J McGivney (0-4, three frees), M Mulvey; R Smith (0-2, one free), D Gallagher, JJ Matthews (0-1). Subs: P Devine for Carroll (13 mins), P Reynolds (0-1) for Gallagher (21), C Keegan for Mulvey (47), J Noonan for Smith (56), Gallagher for Mahon (59).

Westmeath: E Carberry; B Moran, K Sheridan, K Maguire; M McCallon, K Martin, J Dolan; D Keenan, D Daly; A Corroon (0-1), C Lynam (0-6, all frees), G Egan; I Coffey (0-1, free), C McCormack, T McDaniel (0-1). Subs: J Heslin for Keenan (33), J Gilligan for Corroon (52).

Referee: B O'Shea (Dublin).

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