Laois gave an exhibition of point-taking as they downed Westmeath on a 0-24 to 3-8 scoreline at Mullingar.

Recently-transferred Michael John Tierney led by example for the winners, helping himself to 0-13 in a high-scoring all-Leinster clash. The win certainly comes as a timely morale-booster for the O'Moore men.

In contrast, the Lake County are on a worrying downward spiral and are now faced with the very real prospect of demotion to the third tier. The positive thing for the Maroons was that Martin Flanagan returned to the county fold and they managed to nick three goals.

Laois led by 0-10 to 1-5 at the break, with six of those scores coming from corner forward Tierney.

The visitors were ahead by 0-7 to 1-2 after 17 minutes and really had the better of the first half but couldn't pull away from the dogged hosts. In the second quarter, the teams shared six points.

Westmeath got the first two scores before five unanswered Laois minors - including four from the impressive MJ Tierney - turned the tide in favour of the winners.

Paul Greville boosted the hosts with a lovely levelling goal but the O'Moore men replied with scores from Kevin Meaney and Donie Kingston to lead by two.

Laois got three of the next four points - with Kingston and Tierney (2) on target. The hosts were having a bad day in front of the posts and they now trailed by 0-10 to 1-3.

The Lake County managed the last three points of the half to trail by just two at the interval. Tommy Warburton was amongst their first-half scorers.

Tierney (free) and Niall Donoher added Laois scores before substitute Finnegan got a goal for Westmeath and Greville struck the levelling point, 2-6 to 0-12.

Paul Bannon's penalty had Westmeath looking good but Tierney brought his tally to 0-13 as the visitors ran riot in the closing stages. Tweet

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