Paddy O'Rourke will miss Meath's All-Ireland Round 2B qualifier in a fortnight's time after seeing red in today's Leinster SFC semi-final defeat to Westmeath.

The goalkeeper received a straight red card in the final minute of stoppage-time after clattering into Westmeath's goal-scoring hero Kieran Martin. Meath actually finished the game without a netminder as they had already used up all of their substitutes.

The Royals also had Graham Reilly and Donncha Tobin black-carded as they surrendered a nine-point lead in an extraodinary second half. Reilly's dismissal for tripping Paddy Holloway in the 47th minute was extremely costly as Meath had been in complete control at the time.

The defeat - Meath's first ever in championship football to Westmeath - is certain to heap pressure on manager Mick O'Dowd whose battered side will be paired with one of Armagh, Wexford, Louth or Tyrone in tomorrow morning's qualifier draw.

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