Westmeath comeback sees them progress past Laois and into Tailteann quarter-finals

Westmeath booked their place in the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals after coming through a hard battle against Laois in O'Moore Park.

Having beaten Laois by 16 points in last year’s Leinster championship, this was a much closer contest with Westmeath coming from behind in the second half to see off their midland rivals.

Laois looked good ten minutes into the second half when they built up a three point lead and had an extra man following the dismissal of Kevin Maguire in the first half.

However, they conceded a poor goal from their own kick-out and then lost Sean O'Flynn to a second yellow card which swung the game back Westmeath's way.

Westmeath played against the wind in the first half but grabbed the first two scores via John Heslin and Luke Loughlin.

Laois replied through James Finn and Evan O'Carroll - the latter almost scored a goal but his shot was blocked on the line and over the bar by Sam Duncan.

Westmeath were then awarded a penalty in the eight minute when Nigel Harte rounded keeper Danny Bolger and was fouled.

Heslin stepped up to take it and fired it towards the top corner but Bolger pulled off an amazing save to claw it away.

Loughlin and Ronan O'Toole added points for Westmeath before Laois had another goal chance when Paul Kingston picked out Evan O'Carroll who took on his man but shot wide from a tight angle.

Westmeath were then reduced to 14 men in the 19th minute when full back Kevin Maguire was sent off after clashing with Eoin Lowry off the ball.

Mark Barry pointed from a free and then did so again to cut the gap to one after 25 minutes.

And the sides were level three minutes later when Finn boomed in a ball to Evan O'Carroll who combined with Barry to score.

Laois's purple patch was ended by a Heslin free but