Westmeath prove no match for a superior Offaly outfit

Offaly 3-12, Westmeath 1-10

Westmeath were no match for an impressive Offaly side when they met in the Leinster Minor Football Championship at Kinnegad on Tuesday evening.

A direct route to the quarter-final was up for grabs and victory ensured it would be Offaly who took advantage of that as they finished second in the group on scoring difference. Westmeath, Offaly and Dublin ended on four points after two wins apiece.

Following their fine victory over Dublin, Westmeath seemed in a great position, but instead they must now face a preliminary quarter-final tie against Carlow having finished third in the group.

After a seven-point defeat against Dublin in round one, Offaly have produced two fine performances to overcome both Longford and Westmeath, scoring 9-35 in the process.

The platform for victory was laid in the first half, Offaly scoring two goals to lead by 2-5 to 0-5 at the interval. Midfielder John Carroll got the opening goal after 80 seconds when he tapped home from close-range after Paddy Burns’ pass. Burns got pounced for the second after 16 minutes when Seán Monahan played the ball across the square and the full-forward managed to somehow boot it to the net despite falling on his backside as the pass arrived.

The advantage of a strong breeze for the second half, together with the level of intent Offaly were showing, suggested they were firm favourites to win, and so it proved. The victors got a third goal six minutes after the restart when Burns sent a high ball towards goal in search of a two-pointer with advantage being played: wing-back Stephen Murrihy kept it in play near the endline and fed Monahan who duly fired to the net, putting his side nine points clear (3-5 to 0-5).

Offaly’s lead was 12 points by the 47th minute and that after Westmeath ‘keeper Tom McCaul had denied Jamie Harvey a goal. McCaul stood strong again in the 51st minute to keep out Darragh Stewart’s effort and Westmeath got a fortuitous goal through centre-forward Daragh Murray with five minutes remaining - his angled shot deceiving ‘keeper Ryan Casey and dipping to the net. The modern game is largely based around primary possession at midfield and a team’s ability to secure the ball, create and convert scoring chances. On all fronts Westmeath fell down and cheap turnovers hurt them badly. In contrast, Offaly were impressive in every feature of play and the defending Leinster minor football champions look quite capable of making a strong bid to retain the title.

A superbly struck two-pointer free by Paddy Burns in the 19th minute ensured Offaly were firmly in control, leading by 2-3 to 0-3 despite playing into a strong breeze. The Westmeath forward line hadn’t scored from play until corner-forward Alex Mullen Adamson pointed in the 24th minute: two Stephen McWade frees and one each from midfielder Finn Brennan and wing-back Cian McKeogh was their total with the elements in their favour.

Once Monahan found the net, Offaly were in total command and opened up a 3-10 to 0-7 lead with 13 minutes remaining. A fine two-pointer free by Burns again in the 43rd minute underlined their superior kicking skills.

Offaly could easily have scored a fourth goal, but instead Westmeath found some joy in the latter stages - corner-back Tom Weir showing great determination to lead a surge that ended in centre-forward Daragh Murray finding the net, following a pass by sub Hugo Corroon.

Aaron Connaire, switched from full-forward to midfield, notched two points, the second of which could have been a goal on the hour mark. Connaire found himself in a great position after Dean Kelly and McWade combined, but he shot over from close-range. Substitutes Mark Monaghan and Darragh Deegan also notched points for the home side, but Deegan shot low and wide when a misplaced clearance presented him with a goal chance.

Donnacha Seery had an impact off the bench with a late Offaly point to put the seal on a fine victory.

SCORERS - Offaly: Paddy Burns 1-5 (2 tpf; 1f), John Carroll and Sean Monahan 1-0 each, Oliver Goulding 0-2 (2f), Evan Daly, Darragh Stewart, Dara Waldron, Stephen Murrihy, Donnacha Seery 0-1 each.

Westmeath: Daragh Murray 1-0, Stephen McWade (2f) and Aaron Connaire 0-2 each, Cian McKeogh, Finn Brennan, Billy Stenson, Alex Mullen Adamson, Darragh Deegan and Mark Monaghan 0-1 each.

OFFALY: Ryan Casey; Cormac Staunton, Oran Kenny, Jake Conlon; Stephen Murrihy, Cathal Carroll, Jamie Harvey; John Carroll, Patrick Duffy; Evan Daly, Darragh Stewart, Oliver Goulding; Dara Waldron, Paddy Burns, Sean Monahan. Subs: Seán O'Shea for Monahan (39), Donnacha Seery for Goulding (45), Joe Furey for Harvey (55), Hugh Kelly for Stewart, (inj. 60+2), Shane Lawless for Duffy (60+3).

WESTMEATH: Tom McCaul; Tom Weir, Tomás Brennan, Louie Dillon; Cian McKeogh, Eoghan Daly, Gary Staunton; Finn Brennan; Billy Stenson; Dean Kelly, Daragh Murray, Conor Cleary; Stephen McWade, Aaron Connaire, Alex Mullen Adamson. Subs: Mark Monaghan for Staunton (20), Darragh Deegan for Brennan (42), Josh Scahill for McKeogh (46), Hugo Corroon for Mullen Adamson (48).

Referee: Ryan Moran (Kildare).