Westmeath prevail in exciting finale to maintain winning run

Westmeath 4-15, Offaly 2-17

Wins over Offaly in competitive hurling fixtures have been a scarce commodity for Westmeath over the years - something which makes last Saturday's victory at Joristown Park even more satisfying.

Amid glorious conditions, Westmeath took command in the second half when backed by a breeze which picked up at various stages, though the wind did not have a detrimental impact on a highly entertaining contest.

Westmeath's dominance of the battle for primary possession from puckouts in the second half was a major factor in the outcome. Inspired by impressive team captain Odhran Fletcher, Offaly had led by 0-12 to 1-5 at half-time, with Conor Williams scoring the Westmeath goal from a close range free.

Westmeath full-forward Padraig Monaghan really came to the fore in the second half, during which he scored 2-2, though there was a slice of good fortune attached to his second goal. And despite Offaly substitute Aaron Screeney scoring two goals of his own, Westmeath managed to hold on to claim a fourth successive victory in the competition.

Playing on their home pitch, Raharney duo Cian Fleming (demonstrating fine fielding ability) and Oisín McCauley were excellent for Westmeath, while the accuracy of Williams from placed balls was a crucial ingredient, as was the impact of Finn Higgins off the bench. Westmeath's victory was all the more meritorious considering the absence through injury of dual star Dillon Burke, with McCauley deputising as captain.

Despite claiming a deserved win, there are plenty of things for Westmeath to work on with the concession of two soft goals a concern. In addition, greater accuracy from point scoring chances and improved discipline (especially when competing for the sliotar in rucks) will be required if Westmeath are to make further progress.

With nearby fields of rapeseed in stunning bloom, the home of Raharney Hurling Club was a picturesque venue for the occasion, and both sets of players combined to set up a very enjoyable game.

Offaly led 0-5 to 0-3 inside the opening ten minutes, Odhran Fletcher scoring all their early points. Fletcher's early salvo included two frees and a '65' which came about after Ruairí Woods threatened a goal, with Westmeath defender Dara Mulligan called on to flick the sliotar away from danger.

Padraig Monaghan, Oisín McCauley and Conor Williams (a free) supplied Westmeath's first three white flags.

With the referee playing advantage in a subsequent Westmeath attack, Monaghan's goal attempt was batted away. When play was brought back for the free, Williams took the Offaly defence by surprise by rifling the ball to the roof of the net.

That 11th-minute goal was a valuable boost for Westmeath against the wind as Offaly proceeded to reel off four points on the trot.

Fletcher punished a couple of Westmeath fouls with Woods and the influential Macdara Mitchell also getting on the scoresheet.

Points from Darragh Phelan and Eamon Maher, along with another superbly taken free from Fletcher, gave Brian Carroll's charges a four-point lead at half-time.

A brace of frees from Williams made up Westmeath's first half total, but it was obvious that the boys in maroon would need to step up their efforts in the second half.

In truth, Westmeath responded to the challenge facing them in impressive fashion. Within six minutes, the sides were level as Westmeath put together a necklace of four points, two each from Williams and Monaghan, the Clonkill player proving a strong ball winner throughout.

Fletcher put Offaly back in front before McCauley levelled matters, after he was well placed from a free by Williams. Maher's second point helped Offaly into a 0-14 to 1-10 lead, but Padraig Monaghan's first goal shifted the momentum significantly.

Ted Aherne, who certainly had his hands full with Fletcher in the first moiety, won the ball in defence and played it forward, with Monaghan doing the rest.

Two more frees from Williams extended Westmeath's lead to four points (2-12 to 0-14). Lively Westmeath substitute Finn Higgins caught the eye with his pace and ability to take on defenders, and he got a point his endeavour richly deserved on 51 minutes.

However, Offaly had a trump card of their own on the bench in the form of Aaron Screeney (younger brother of Adam). After an incisive run by Maher, Screeney exploited some hesitant Westmeath defending to finish the sliotar to the net (52nd minute).

Urged on by the passionate promptings of Brendan McKeogh, Westmeath responded to the Offaly threat, with the manager's son Cian then scoring a splendid individual goal.

Now sitting pretty on a 3-14 to 1-15 lead, Westmeath looked reasonably safe only for Screeney to beat Westmeath keeper Niall Brady at his near post. If Westmeath had regrets over the manner of that goal, Offaly could feel similar about the home side's fourth, with the ball rebounding in off Monaghan after McKeogh had threatened.

In an exciting finale, it was the fourth goal in the space of as many minutes, but it signalled the end of the drama. The only additions to the scoreboard thereafter came from frees by Fletcher (two) and Williams (a huge puck from inside his own half), with Dylan Gaffney producing a piece of defiant defending late on.

Scorers - Westmeath: C Williams 1-9 (1-9 frees); P Monaghan 2-3; C McKeogh 1-0; O McCauley 0-2; F Higgins 0-1. Offaly: O Fletcher 0-12 (8f, 1 '65'); A Screeney 2-0; E Maher 0-2; D Phelan, M Mitchell and R Woods 0-1 each.

Westmeath - Niall Brady; Dara Mulligan, Ted Aherne, Dylan Gaffney; Eanna Kiernan, Cian Fleming, Conor Cleary; Sean Byrne, Oisín McCauley; Eoghan Beehan, Cian McKeogh, Conor Maleady; MJ Long, Padraig Monaghan, Conor Williams. Subs used: Finn Higgins for Beehan (20 mins); Cian O'Meara for Long (44); Ronan Lawlor for Cleary (59); Eoin McGrath for Maleady (61).

Offaly - James Carroll; Jason Donoghue, Jack O'Donoghue, Sean Finlay; Barry Bennett, Oisín Carroll, Sean Walshe; Fiachra Carroll, Eamon Maher; Conor Thornton, Darragh Phelan, Macdara Mitchell; Jack Dunican, Odhran Fletcher, Ruairí Woods. Subs used: Tom O'Dwyer for Thornton (37 mins); Adam Martin for Dunican (40); Aaron Screeney for Phelan (44).

Referee: Owen Beehan (Kilkenny).