OFFALY AND CARLOW got their Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 hurling campaigns off to a strong start in tonight’s quarter-final ties.
Offaly saw off Westmeath by 2-15 to 1-10 at O’Connor Park in Tullamore while Carlow claimed a 2-15 to 4-7 victory over Laois in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Carlow will now take on Kilkenny or Dublin – who meet at the quarter-final stage next Wednsesday night – at the last four while Offaly will be up against Wexford.
Westmeath got off to a flying start with an early goal from Robbie Greville against Offaly as they went ahead by 1-2 to 0-1 by the 5th minute but Offaly hit straight back with Emmet Nolan finding the net.
At half-time Offaly had gone ahead by 1-7 to 1-6 and they got a further boost when Adrian Cleary grabbed their second goal and they ran out eight-point winners at the finish.
In Portaloise, a hat-trick of goals from Charlie Dwyer inspired Laois to lead by 3-4 to 1-6 at the break with James Doyle raising the green flag in the opening half for Carlow.
A second-half goal by Ayrton Gleeson brought Carlow level and they went ahead by four points with 11 minutes left to play. Laois received a lifeline when PJ Scully struck their fourth goal in the closing moments but they couldn’t draw level
Originally published Wednesday at 21.30