JACK GUINEY’S two first-half goals from frees proved crucial as Wexford held out for a 3-13 to 3-10 victory over a battling Offaly side in the Leinster MHC game at Wexford Park on Saturday.

It was Offaly who goaled first through Jason Sampson before Guiney struck twice from 21-yard frees to help his side to a 3-5 to 1-7 interval lead. Joseph O’Connor scored a goal 30 seconds into the second half but Guiney’s free-taking kept the Model County in front.

In Portlaoise Westmeath beat Laois on a 1-19 to 0-16 scoreline. Laois raced into an early lead, 0-5 to 0-1, helped by two points from Steven Maher, who scored 0-10 in total. before Neal Kirby smashed the ball into the Laois net after 20 minutes to help the visitors lead 1-9 to 0-9 at half-time.

The second half was evenly contested but Westmeath came with three late unanswered points to claim a place in the quarter-final against Kilkenny.

Laois will now meet Meath who stunned Kildare with a thrilling late flourish at Newbridge, 1-16 to 1-14. Jack Egan’s 58th-minute goal brought the Royals to within a point before Ciarán Fitzsimons brought his tally to ten with three late points to snatch the honours.

A blistering start, which saw Carlow lead 2-6 to nil after 10 minutes play, provided the springboard for the Barrowsiders’ 3-22 to 0-5 thrashing of Wicklow at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, despite being on the field for only eight minutes, Adrian Murrihy proved to be the difference for Clare, who qualified for the Munster MFC semi-final by beating Limerick 1-10 to 0-10 at the Gaelic Grounds.

Murrihy blasted home the only goal of the game but had to retire injured following his effort. The strike helped Clare lead 1-4 to 0-6 at the break. The sides were level three times in the second half before the visitors drew clear.