WESTMEATH HAVE CAUSED a huge upset tonight by knocking Kilkenny out of the Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship.
Warren Casserly’s goal early in the second half was the crucial score as the Lake County secured a famous 1-11 to 0-12 win against Eddie Brennan’s hotly-tipped Cats side at Cusack Park in Mullingar.
Westmeath led by 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time, with seven of their points coming from the stick of Darragh Clinton (who scored 0-8 of their 1-11 total in the end). The Cats drew level after the restart before Casserly struck for the only goal of the game.
Despite registering just two more points for the remainder of a tense second half, Westmeath remained in the ascendancy.
With just a couple of points between the teams entering additional time, Kilkenny were awarded a penalty but their attempt missed the target and Westmeath emerged victorious.
Scheduled for 15 June, Westmeath will now go on to a semi-final meeting with the winners of the fourth quarter-final between Dublin and Wexford, which takes place next Wednesday night.
In tonight’s other two quarter-finals, Offaly comfortably saw off the challenge of Kildare in Newbridge, while Carlow had a couple of points to spare over Laois at Newtwatch Cullen Park.
Offaly and Carlow are now scheduled to square off in the second semi-final on 22 June.
Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship quarter-finals
Westmeath 1-11 Kilkenny 0-12
Offaly 5-22 Kildare 1-12
Carlow 1-17 Laois 1-15
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