Westmeath 0-22

Carlow 2-15

Westmeath held off a brave effort from Carlow this afternoon at Newatch Cullen Park to record their third consecutive win in this year's Leinster senior hurling championship.

Michael Ryan's side recovered from the concession of an early goal to put in a splendid second-half display, with their marksman Niall O'Brien sending over the scores to ensure they head into a quarter-final date with Galway unbeaten in the championship.

In what was ultimately a dead rubber affair, with Carlow having lost their opening two games, the hosts made the perfect start when Seamus Murphy lashed home the opening score to the visitors' net inside two minutes.

Robbie Greville opened Westmeath's account on five minutes and O'Brien (2) kept the scoreboard ticking over for them before the Barrowsiders extended their advantage again as Seamus Murphy and Denis Murphy found their range.

O'Brien and Derek McNicholas brought the Lake men back within two but their opponents weren't willing to give up their lead and it was scores from Seamus Murphy and Conor Lawlor which ended up outweighing O'Brien's seventh point at the far end, leaving it at 1-9 to 0-10 for the break.

Liam Varley cut the difference down to the minimum early on in the resumption ahead of James Doyle and Aonghus Clarke trading scores.

Denis Murphy's sixth point had the Pat English's side two to the good heading for the final quarter, when the would-be winners virtually took over proceedings.

Brendan Murtagh's fine point provided the spark, as O'Brien backed him up with further points which were enough to see Westmeath over the line despite shipping another goal late on.

It means Ryan's charges now face the Tribesmen on Sunday fortnight (June 5th) at a venue yet to be decided for a place in the last four of province.

Westmeath - S McGovern; S Power, A McGrath, M Heeney; A Craig, A Clarke (0-2), G Greville; D Egerton, A Devine; N Mitchell (0-1), D McNicholas (0-3), R Greville (0-2); L Varley (0-1), B Murtagh (0-3), N O'Brien (0-8, 5f). Subs: K Doyle (0-2) for D McNicholas, W Casserly for M Heeney, J Galvin for A Devine.

Carlow - D Grennan; G Coady, M Ryan, A Corcoran; R Kelly, R Coady, S Whelan; J Doyle (0-2), C Lawlor (1-1); Sean Murphy (0-3), K McDonald, J M Nolan (0-2); D Murphy (0-6, 3f), Seamus Murphy (1-1), R Smithers.

Referee - J Owens.

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