Offaly 3-6 Westmeath 0-7:THE ABILITY to convert goal chances proved to be the difference as Offaly got Gerry Cooney's reign as manager off to a winning start in Tullamore yesterday.

Offaly took their three goals with clinical efficiency while Westmeath will be wondering how they didn’t breach Kevin Meehan’s line as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for long periods.

Goals from Alan Mulhall and Ken Casey helped Offaly to a 2-2 to no score lead after eight minutes.

Westmeath impressed after this but they didn’t make it count on the scoreboard as they trailed by 2-4 to 0-5 at the break.

They cut the deficit to three points after four minutes of the second half but Ken Casey got Offaly’s third goal to end it as a contest with 17 minutes left.

OFFALY: K Meehan; J Gallagher, P McConway, S Pender; J Keane, B Darby, L Hiney; R Dalton (0-1), R Brady; G Guilfoyle, N Dunne (0-1), A Keenaghan; W Mulhall (0-3), A Mulhall (1-1, 0-1 free), K Casey (2-0). Subs: F Daly for Guilfoyle (27 mins), N Smith for Dunne (47 mins), D Currams for Keane (47 mins), B Hanamy for A Mulhall (68 mins), D Kelly for Casey (68 mins).

WESTMEATH: D Quinn; M Dalton, K Sheridan, T Warburton; M Curley, M Ennis, K Maguire; T English (0-1), A Finnan; K Martin (0-1, free), C McCormack (0-4), P Sheridan (0-1); J Egan, D Mullen, M Gorman. Subs: D Glennon for Mullen (47 mins), D McNicholas for Egan (51 mins), W Coyne for Gorman (64 mins), D Gavin for Sheridan (68 mins).

Referee: J Hickey (Carlow).