Louth were too strong for an experimental-looking Westmeath at Drogheda yesterday. Westmeath led at half-time 1-5 to 0-7 with the goal coming early on from Damien Healy, but were outplayed in the second half.

LOUTH: C Nally; A McKenna D Shevlin, D Brennan; S Gerrard, C Quinn, J Neary (0-1); S O'Hanlon (0-1), M Farrelly (0-1); O McDonnell (0-2), K Lynch (0-2), M Stanfield (0-2, one free); D Reilly (0-1), C Kelly (0-4, one free), JP Rooney (0-1). Subs: A Rogan for A McKenna.

WESTMEATH: A Lennon; F Murray, D Mitchell, B Murphy; D Healy (1-0), D Murphy, K McKinley; R O'Connell, G Duffy; D Gavin, T Cleary (0-1), V Gavin; J Fallon (0-3, one free), C Keane, JP Casey (0-3, frees). Subs: J McAteer for C Keane; S O'Donoghue for G Duffy; M Gilmartin for V Gavin; R Browne for K McKinley; J Davitt for B Murphy.

Referee: J Smith (Meath).