LAOIS AND OFFALY both progressed in their opening assignments in the Leinster U21 football championship tonight.
Laois enjoyed a successful trip to Baltinglass where they defeated Wicklow by 0-10 to 0-9.
In a tight and tense clash, Laois were in front by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break with Martin Keogh and Martin Scully both weighing in with crucial scores in the opening period.
Wicklow drew level at 0-8 apiece in the finale but Evan Costello nailed a pair of vital frees for Laois and they over the finish line with a point to spare.
Laois will have to wait to discover the identity of their opponents after it finished 1-12 to 0-15 between Longford and Westmeath in Newtowncashel. The teams were still level after extra-time and a replay will thus be required.
Longford dominated early on with Barry McKeon hitting the net from a penalty before half-time to send them into a 1-6 to 0-3 lead. Longford were still ahead by 1-9 to 0-9 with ten minutes remaining but Westmeath hit the last three points of the game to secure a draw.
Westmeath lead by 0-14 to 1-10 at the midway mark in extra-time yet Longford fought back and the match goes to a replay.
In Taghmon in Wexford, Offaly were far superior than the home side as they triumphed by 1-16 to 0-6.
Adam Shelley raised the only green flag of the game to enable Offaly lead by 1-8 to 0-3 at the interval and they controlled the game thereafter. Their reward is a trip to Athy on March 5th where they will take on reigning champions Kildare at the quarter-final stage.
