Dublin's exit from the O'Byrne Cup this afternoon means there will be new O'Byrne Cup champions this year.

Despite fielding an experimental line-up, the All-Ireland champions' 0-14 to 1-12 defeat to Wexford in Enniscorthy was regarded as a surprise result and opened the door for Offaly - who weren't in action today - to qualify for the semi-finals as Group 1 winners.

They will face neighbours and Group 4 winners Westmeath next weekend after Callum McCormack inspired Colin Kelly's men to an impressive 3-16 to 1-13 win over Laois in Stradbally. The Maryland clubman scored 3-4, while Luke Loughlin also chipped in with 0-6 as the Lake County defeated John Sugrue's charges for the second time in a week. Denis Corroon, Nigel Scally and Finbarr Coyne also stood out for the visitors. Veteran Ross Munnelly grabbed a late consolation goal for the hosts.

Westmeath's Callum McCormack. ©INPHO/Gary Carr.

The other semi-final will be a repeat of the 2016 final between Meath and Longford after they defeated Wicklow and Kildare respectively.

David Toner, Donal Lenihan, Mark McCabe and Joey Wallace all raised green flags as the Royals cruised to a 4-19 to 0-13 victory over Wicklow in Pairc Tailteann to top Group 3, while Robbie Smyth scored the only goal as Longford beat Kildare 1-14 to 0-13 in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park to finish top of Group 2.

Westmeath - E Carberry; J Rock, S Duncan, M McCallon; J Dolan, C Slevin (0-1f), N Mulligan; A Stone, D Corroon; J Sheeran, L Loughlin (0-6, 2f), N Scally; C McCormack (3-4), K Martin (0-3), J Egan (0-1). Subs: K Fagan for E Carberry, A Gardiner (0-1) for N Scally, F Coyne for C Slevin, S Lyster for A Stone, G Carr for K Martin, B Sayeh for J Rock, G Leech for N Mulligan, J Marshment for J Egan.

Laois - E Keogh; S Attride, S Nerney, J Kelly; R Piggott, K Lillis, C Begley; D Luttrell, C Coss; C McEvoy, E O'Carroll, N Donoher (0-1); R Munnelly (1-4, 0-2f), A Forbes (0-1), E Lowry (0-6, 5f). Subs: C Finn for J Kelly, D O'Reilly for C Begley, R Murray (0-1) for C McEvoy, A Dowling for D Luttrell, B Glynn for C Coss, F Crowley for N Donoher, R Donoher for R Piggott, S Moore for S Nerney (BC).

Referee - F Pierce.

**

Longford - P Collum; P Fox, P McCormack, P Foy; M Quinn, B Gilleran, B McKeon; D Gallagher, C Berry; D Reynolds (0-1), A Farrell, D Mimnagh; R Smyth (1-4, 0-2f), S McCormack (0-5, 3f), D Carrigy. Subs: R Brady (0-4) for D Carrigy, J Matthews for R Smyth, D Quinn for P Foy, D McGivney for A Farrell, S Donohue for B Gilleran, C Lee for D Reynolds, J McGivney for D Mimnagh, P Hanley for D Gallagher, K Farrell for R Brady, C Reilly for C Berry, A Farrell for M Quinn.

Kildare - M Donnellan; P Kelly, M Kelly, M Hyland; A McDermott, E Doyle, C O'Donoghue; K Feely (0-4f), T Moolick (0-1); R O'Giollain, D Flynn (0-2), P Cribbin (0-2); J Hyland, E Callaghan, E Lawless (0-1). Subs: P Brophy for D Flynn, J Byrne for E Doyle, N Flynn for J Hyland, D Flynn for P Brophy (BC), P Connell for R O'Giollain, K Cribbin for C O'Donoghue, C Hand for E Callaghan, D Hyland for A McDermott, F Dowling (0-2) for E Lawless, L Flynn (0-1) for K Feely, D Slattery for P Cribbin.

Referee - C Dwyer.

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