Carlow 2-15 Westmeath 1-15:A SOFT goal by sub Edward Byrne early in the second half proved to be the decisive score as Carlow avenged their Keogh Cup final defeat by Westmeath earlier this year with a win at Cusack Park on Saturday afternoon last.

Robert Foley’s goal helped Carlow to a 1-9 to 1-7 interval lead. Brendan Murtagh’s point edged Westmeath ahead early in the second half but Byrne then struck to give Carlow a lead they were never to subsequently relinquish.

CARLOW: F Foley; D Byrne, S Kavanagh (0-2, two frees), D Shaw; B Cox, J Rogers, P Keogh (0-3, three frees); E Coady, C Hughes; R Dunbar (0-1), D Roberts (0-2), C Doyle (0-3); P Keogh, R Foley (1-1), A Gaul (0-2). Subs: E Byrne (1-1) (for Cox (23 mins), H P Byrne for D Byrne (yellow, 31 mins), J Kane for Hughes (48 mins), W Hickey for Dunbar (yellow, 56 mins), J Coady for Kane (65 mins).

WESTMEATH: P Burke; D Curley, P Greville, C Jordan; J Shaw, A Mitchell (0-4, two 65s, two frees), E Price; P Dowdall, B Connaughton (0-1); B Smyth (0-2), A Price, C Curley (0-1); D McNicholas (0-1), B Murtagh (0-6, four frees), D McCormack (1-0). Subs: K Cosgrove for Jordan (48 mins), M Geraghty for McNicholas (68 mins).

Referee: T Carroll (Offaly).