Offaly; 1-11 Westmeath; 0-12:In the end the result of the midland relegation derby between Offaly and Westmeath in Tullamore was of academic interest, as results from other venues conspired to condemn both counties to relegation to Division Two next year.
For the record, however, Offaly came out on top after a roller-coaster game which attracted in excess of 8,000 spectators. The last-minute rush ensured the throw-in had to be delayed for 15 minutes.
Westmeath recovered splendidly after conceding a goal within 15 seconds of the throw-in, when John Reynolds fired to the net.
The home side led by six points by the 15th minute, but were pegged back to a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead. Westmeath achieved equality on the scoreboard midway through the half, equalising at 0-10 to 1-7. Significantly, only one of their points was scored from play, the remainder being shared by free-takers Joe Fallon and JP Casey.
Offaly, without producing as good a performance as against Galway the previous week, deserved to wind up their league programme on a winning note. Goalkeeper Padraig Kelly brought off a number of fine saves and Cathal Daly, Karl Slattery and John Kenny were stout defenders.
The home side lost midfielder James Grennan through injury in the fourth minute and thereafter struggled in this sector. Five of their forwards got their names on the scoresheet, with Roy Malone, Paschal Kellaghan and Paudie Mulhare proving constant threats.
Westmeath had a splendid halfback line in Brian Morley, Paul Conway and man-of-the-match John Keane. Rory O'Connell was the dominant figure at midfield.
OFFALY: P Kelly; C Daly, J Kenny, B Mooney; J Hurst (0-1), G Rafferty, K Slattery (0-1); J Grennan, C McManus (0-1); C Quinn, (0-2), P Mulhare (0-1), A McNamee (0-1); J Reynolds (1-0), R Malone, P Kellaghan (0-3). Subs: D Ryan (0-1) for Grennan; D Claffey for Reynolds; C Farrell for Malone; M Stones for Hurst.
WESTMEATH: A Lennon; D Healy, D Mitchell, K McKinley; B Morley, P Conway, J Keane; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; V Gavin, D Hughes, J Fallon (0-6); G Heavin, M Flanagan (0-1), JP Casey (0-5). Subs: F Murray for Mitchell; A Mangan for Gavin; D Heavin for McKinley.
Referee: M Ryan (Limerick)
