Ace James Dolan out a beating

JAMES DOLAN and Joe Halligan hit the crucial goals as Westmeath edged out Limerick 2-13 to 1-10 to reach Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

The Division 3 champions surged 10 points clear early in the second-half – and relied on that cushion as Limerick rallied.

The visiting Munster outfit reduced the deficit to just four points when they hit 1-2 without reply between the 54th and

62nd minutes but that was as close as they got.

A 64th minute point from Westmeath star John Heslin, who only appeared as a second-half sub due to hamstring trouble, settled the hosts and they held on for just their second qualifier win since 2012.

Laois will also be in tomorrow morning’s Round 3 draw after finishing strong in Owenbeg to defeat hosts Derry 1-13 to 0-12.

The 2018 Leinster finalists trailed by a point with four minutes remaining but Eoin Lowry’s 66th minute goal for Laois was decisive.

Kieran Lillis and Lowry again added points to secure a gutsy win for John Sugrue’s side.

Meanwhile, Adam Tyrrell and Neil Flynn fired 15 points between them as Kildare trounced Antrim 1-25 to 0-14 in Belfast.

The 2018 Super 8s outfit looked a cut above throughout at Corrigan Park, surging 0-13 to 0-6 ahead at half-time.

Fergal Conway netted minutes after the restart to nudge Kildare decisively clear and there were further points from Tyrrell, Flynn and ex-professional soccer player Kevin Feely.

Kildare enjoyed a strong kick from their bench too with Jimmy Hyland, Tommy Moolick and Jason Gibbons registering 0-5 between them.

Clare are through to Round 3 also after a 3-17 to 0-17 win over Leitrim with goals from Gary Brennan, Jamie Malone and sub Eimhin Courtney.

AN EARLY RISER Donal Keogan rises to the challenge against Laois at Croker earlier in the month ANOTHER DEFEAT: Donal Keogan blocks a shot from Dublin’s Eoghan O’Gara in the 2014 final