In a tense and defensive battle that was dominated by the freetaking exploits of Killian Doyle and Brian Duignan, the Offaly sharpshooter had a little bit more scoring support from the rest of his colleagues and that made all the difference in this afternoon's all-midlands clash in Tullamore.
The two counties look to be heading in very different directions as it would now take a remarkable set of results either to deny Offaly promotion to Division 1A, or to prevent Westmeath from dropping to Division 2, but with Doyle making his first appearance for the Lake County today and giving their attack an immediate upgrade in the process, there wasn’t that much to call between the two teams.
Davy Glennon and Niall O’Brien were also drafted in by Westmeath manager Seoirse Bulfin, while Offaly gave a first start of the season to corner back Ben Conneely, who travelled to Tullamore after attending the burial of his grandfather Michael Conneely this morning.
Conneely instantly slotted back in seamlessly into the Offaly backline, bolstering a unit where James Mahon, Ciarán Burke and Donal Shirley all continued their very impressive form.
With a deceptively strong breeze blowing down towards the Town End of the Tullamore venue, Westmeath needed a fast start but it was Offaly who got it, firing an early goal through Killian Sampson and then playing good, controlled hurling to take a 1-04 to 0-02 with ten minutes played.
Seven of the next eight points went Westmeath’s way however, with the breeze, Doyle’s accuracy and some good movement and running up front all playing a part.
A Doyle free made it 0-09 to 1-05 after 22 minutes, but Duignan again stepped up with one close range free and two superb points from play, before Westmeath again took over to lead by two (0-14 to 1-09 at half-time).
12 minutes after the restart it was 1-16 to 0-14 and it looked like Offaly might win at their ease.
Duignan had been their only pointscorer in the first half but Colin Spain, Daniel Bourke and Kelly all added their names to the scoresheet with some fine strikes, while a Dan Ravenhill free from 90 metres out that carried the crossbar with plenty to spare showed that the wind might carry the Faithful to a comfortable win, and their fourth in a row.
Instead it didn’t work out that way, as their attack started to flounder, and they instead needed a series of outstanding defensive plays to stay in control.
Troy’s save, a perfectly-timed dispossession from Ben Conneely and a sensational James Mahon block all helped to ensure that on the 60 minute mark, Westmeath had added just a single point – a close range Doyle free – to their tally.
Doyle did pick off another four in the last ten minutes but points from Duignan (three) and Ter Guinan saw Offaly over the line, all but guaranteeing their place in the league final, and up alongside the elite sides in 2026.
Offaly: Mark Troy; James Mahon, Ciarán Burke, Ben Conneely; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Cathal King, Colin Spain (0-01); Oisín Kelly (0-03), Daniel Bourke (0-01), Killian Sampson (1-00); Dan Ravenhill (0-02, 0-1 free), Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan (0-14, 0-10 frees, 0-01 65).
Subs: David King for J Sampson (half-time), Cillian Kiely for Bourke (57), Eoin Bourke for Dan Ravenhill (66), Ter Guinan (0-01) for Mitchell (68).
Westmeath: Ciarán O’Brien; Adam Ennis, Johnny Bermingham, Gary Greville; Shane Williams, Robbie Greville, Eoin Keyes; Davy Glennon, Peter Clarke; Mark Cunningham (0-01), Killian Doyle (0-14, 0-11 frees), Niall Mitchell; Éamon Cunneen (0-02), Niall O’Brien (0-01), David Williams (0-01, free).
Subs: David O’Reilly for Cunningham (52), Joseph Boyle for D Williams, Aaron Craig for Ennis (65), Rory Keyes for Glennon (68).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)
