Louth come from eight points down to beat Westmeath

A remarkable second-half comeback that included goals from top scorer Sam Mulroy and Liam Jackson sealed a dramatic Leinster SFC quarter-final win for Louth.

Louth manager Mickey Harte admitted afterwards that, trailing by eight points at half-time, they were simply looking for 'respectability' in the second-half.

But they went a step further by forcing a 10-point turnaround on the scoreboard to win by two and secure their semi-final place at Croke Park next Sunday.

Mulroy, still shaking off an injury, didn't have his best afternoon for Louth but still finished with 1-04 and scored a crucial 48th minute goal from a penalty that gave the Wee County real hope of snatching a result.

Substitute Jackson then tied it up in the 55th minute with a second goal and points from Conor Early and Mulroy ultimately secured the two-point win for Harte's side.

It was a real blow for Westmeath manager Dessie Dolan who must have felt that he was on the cusp of a first Championship win on the sideline.

Westmeath at least have possession of a free pass to the new All-Ireland group series as a result of last year's Tailteann Cup win.

Failing to secure promotion from Division 3 in the National League was presumably a disappointment for Dolan's side but, initially at least, it didn't appear to bother them as they roared into that big lead against the Division 2 side.

The Wee County set up in a typical counter attacking formation with captain Mulroy regularly their only player in the opposition half, with full-back Kevin Maguire on his shoulder.

Louth sought to hurt Westmeath on the break and they did carve out a couple of goal chances but Mulroy was twice thwarted in the 11th and 28th minutes by goalkeeper Jason Daly.

At the other end, Louth goalkeeper