Afterwards, the Laois players gathered gravely and sat together in a circle on the field. They could not have been too stuck for issues on which to kickstart the hastily convened meeting; Stephen Kelly's disallowed goal, some 14 wides, the torturous exit roads from O'Moore Park in Portlaoise - all of these provided valid food for thought.
It is unlikely that yesterday's events in Portlaoise will lead to a revolt in the county or, indeed, inspire Westmeath fans to remortgage the homestead with a big-time summer wager in mind. But this O'Byrne cup semi-final did illustrate two things; that Laois still need to develop some sense of cold-bloodedness and that Westmeath know the scent of opportunism when it drifts their way.
By the final exchanges, when the home team were a point off the pace and sensing that the chance for early silverware was passing, the athletes traded sparks and barbed challenges, but for the most part, this game was riddled with the sound of the official's whistle and what open play was offered tended to be spoiled by midwinter's rustiness.
No surprise, then, that the place-kickers featured heavily on the stats sheets, with Laois's Stephen Kelly dispatching five frees over the 70 minutes and his Westmeath counterpart Joe Fallon delivering on four.
While in general Kelly excelled, he was for a short time stricken by the malaise which hampered the home team's attacking efforts for most of the afternoon, with Hugh Emerson, Brian McDonald and Paul Dunne among the noted sharpshooters who couldn't find the target.
Kelly's early free-taking enabled Laois to settle into a promising 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 11 minutes but despite Westmeath's limited possession, their was a sprightliness about their approach which suggested they weren't spending Sunday in Portlaoise for the mere fun of it.
They warmed to the fare after 14 minutes when a lobbed free by Fallon was palmed loosely by the Laois defence and fell to Martin Flanagan, who fisted the ball into the net.
Laois rallied with two frees from Kelly but Westmeath began to probe with more success; first Ger Heavin found Derek Heavin who fired a point on the run and then, late in injury time, Damian Gavin created space at centrefield and thumped a fine point from distance.
Early in the second half, Laois really set about making their wide count noteworthy, firing five stray shots in as many minutes. Westmeath, meantime, were ever economical, with Fallon dominant in his role as chief accountant.
His point after 46 minutes gave the visitors a 1-7 to 0-6 advantage and then came the passage which defined Laois's day; a speculative ball from Emerson was fisted home by Kelly only to be adjudged invalid, Laois came again and Kelly, after watching the a pinball series of shots stepped up to palm the ball into the net again. This one stood.
But still Westmeath could not be dissuaded and as their hosts racked up the wides, they re-established themselves, with Fallon still chipping away before Des Dolan entered the scene for an impressive cameo, blasting two confident points which pushed the issue the visitors' way.
Laois bustled their way forward in search of a late equaliser but Westmeath held firm; Aidan Canning, Kenny McKinley and Russell Casey had looked assured all afternoon and weren't about to crack at such a late stage.
WESTMEATH: D Ryan; KM Kinley, R Casey, F Murray; D Healy, A Canning, D Mitchell; R O'Connell, D Gavin (0-1); D Heavin (0-1), J Cooney, S Deering; J Fallon (0-5, four frees), M Flanagan (1-0), G Heavin (0-1). Subs: D Dolan (0-2) for D Gavin (54 mins); M Staunton for D Heavin (60 mins).
LAOIS: F Byron; G Ramsbottom, T Kelly, JP Kehoe; D Conroy, K Fitzpatrick, A Fennelly; J Kealy (0-1), D Sweeney (0-1); M Lawlor, H Emerson, D Rooney; S Kelly (1-6, five frees), P Dunne, B McDonald. Subs: T Maher for D Rooney (22 mins inj); D Delaney for D Sweeney (48 mins); C Conway for P Dunne (48 mins); E Delaney for K Fitzpatrick (62 mins).
Referee: M Monaghan (Kildare).
