Westmeath 1-9 DIT 0-8:DAVID GLENNON'S first-half goal from a penalty gave Westmeath the impetus to claim victory over DIT in this O'Byrne Cup quarter-final at Athlone yesterday.

With Westmeath trailing by 0-2 to 0-3, referee Derek Fahy awarded a penalty after a foul on midfielder Paul Sharry. Glennon’s first spot-kick was easily saved by DIT goalkeeper David Lyons, but Fahy ordered it to be retaken and Glennon made no mistake at the second attempt.

Although DIT had the aid of the breeze in the first half, Westmeath went in front with points from David Glennon and Paul Greville (free). DIT drew level thanks to superb scores from Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly and Galway’s Gareth Bradshaw. Following Glennon’s goal from the spot, Connolly scored his second from a free, and points from Westmeath’s Ger Egan and DIT defender David Hughes left the home side leading 1-3 to 0-5 at half-time.

DIT, who registered 12 wides, were unable to draw level in the second half. And with substitute Dessie Dolan proving very influential and scoring three points, Westmeath ran out deserving winners.

Westmeath forward Simon Quinn was sent off late on.

WESTMEATH: D Quinn; R Doyle, R English, J Gaffey; F Boyle, A Finnan, C Jordan; B Murtagh, P Sharry; F Wilson, Denis Glennon, G Egan (0-3); P Greville (0-2, one free), David Glennon (1-1, 1-0 pen), S Quinn. Subs: D Dolan (0-3) for Wilson; D Harte for Jordan; J Harte for Murtagh; P Tormey for David Glennon; E Moore for Doyle.

DIT: D Lyons; T Cunniffe, P Domican, D Hughes (0-1); K McLoughlin, K Martin, G Bradshaw (0-1); C Reddin, G McKiernan; M Reilly, A Freeman (0-1, free), A O’Shea; S Flynn, D Connolly (0-5, three frees), C Lynam. Subs: B Allen for Flynn; D Reilly for M Reilly; G Guilfoyle for Lynam; E Reilly for Freeman; C Walsh for McKiernan.

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).