Westmeath keep Offaly comeback bid at bay in league opener

Westmeath 1-11 Offaly 0-10

Westmeath began their Allianz Football League Division 3 campaign in positive fashion with a deserved victory over midland rivals Offaly in Tullamore this afternoon (Sunday).

Senan Baker's well taken goal helped Westmeath into a 1-8 to 0-5 lead at half-time. But the result looked far from assured at that stage as Westmeath had played with the aid of a fairly strong breeze at Glenisk O'Connor Park. The visitors were also indebted to goalkeeper Jason Daly, who produced a fine save to deny the influential John Furlong a goal.

Despite going 0-3 to 0-2 ahead early on and producing some promising attacks in the first half, Offaly rarely looked like claiming a victory once Westmeath took control with a 1-4 salvo.

Ronan O'Toole, Luke Loughlin and Conor Dillon were involved in the build up to the 19th-minute goal, giving Baker the chance to clinically fire a low shot to the net.

With Ray Connellan leading the way at midfield, Andy McCormack toiling hard at centre-back and O'Toole pulling the strings in attack, Westmeath built a decent lead by the interval.

Although Offaly cut the deficit to three points 15 minutes into the second half, they were unable to get any closer. Westmeath only managed to score three points in the second half but they still had enough in the tank to hold off Offaly's comeback mission.

A point from experienced campaigner James Dolan proved crucial in giving Dessie Dolan's charges breathing space in the closing stages.

Westmeath's other second-half scores came from the industrious Conor Dillon and Luke Loughlin, who simultaneously scored his third point and put in an early entry for miss of the season when blasting over a gaping net. Loughlin's ball carrying ability made him a threat throughout, while Garrycastle's Eoin Mulvihill made a notable impact off the bench.

Cian Farrell - who finished with 0-5 to his credit - kept Offaly in touch from frees, while both Anton Sullivan and Nigel Dunne registered two points each.

Offaly's other point came from hard-working midfielder Jordan Hayes, who was one of four Edenderry players in the starting team along with team captain Lee Pearson, Rory Egan and Farrell.

In the absence of Kevin Maguire, David Lynch of St Malachy's had the honour of captaining Westmeath for the first time and he made the occasion more memorable by playing his part in an important victory.

From Westmeath's point of view, the victory was all the more satisfactory given that it was achieved without first choice players Maguire, Jack Smith and John Heslin, while Sam Duncan's travels abroad left a gap to fill at midfield.

Offaly were without two key men of their own in Declan Hogan (injured) and Dylan Hyland (suspended). From Offaly's perspective, this might be seen as something of a missed opportunity but, in truth, their performance on the day was not good enough to secure a win.

Westmeath's second league outing is at home to Clare next Sunday, while Declan Kelly's Offaly side will travel to Belfast to take on Antrim.

Man of the match: Ray Connellan (Westmeath). Connellan delivered an outstanding display at midfield in terms of winning primary possession and work rate. The Athlone man also sent several fine passes into the forwards and contributed a first-half point himself.

Scorers - Westmeath: S Baker 1-2 (0-2f); L Loughlin 0-3; R O'Toole 0-2; R Connellan, S McCartan, J Dolan and C Dillon 0-1 each. Offaly: C Farrell 0-5 (4f); A Sullivan and N Dunne (1 mark) 0-2 each; J Hayes 0-1.

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jamie Gonoud; Charlie Drumm, James Dolan; Ronan Wallace, Andy McCormack, David Lynch (captain); Ray Connellan, Jonathan Lynam; Sam McCartan, Ronan O'Toole, Conor Dillon; Luke Loughlin, Senan Baker, Lorcan Dolan. Subs used: Eoin Mulvihill for McCartan (48 mins); Matthew Whittaker for Dillon (55); Robbie Forde for L Dolan (55); Kieran Martin for Baker (67).

Offaly: Ian Duffy; Aidan Bracken, David Dempsey, Lee Pearson (captain); Rory Egan, John Furlong, Jack O'Brien; Eoin Carroll, Jordan Hayes; Cathal Donoghue, Cathal Flynn, Cormac Egan; Cian Farrell, Anton Sullivan, Nigel Dunne. Subs used Peter Cunningham for Dunne (32 mins); Kevin McDermott for Donoghue (34); Ruairi McNamee for Flynn (45); Keith O'Neill for C Egan (55); Jack Bryant for O'Brien (61).

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).