Mulhall and Casey goals pave way for Offaly

TWO first-half goals within a minute from Alan Mulhall and Ken Casey set up Offaly’s win in the opening round of the O’Byrne Cup at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

Westmeath fought back well in the closing stages of the first-half and started brightly in the second-half, but Callum McCormack, who scored four points, was their only shining light on the day.

Both sides faded in the second half but a Ken Casey goal sealed Offaly’s win.

Offaly included regular goalkeeper Alan Mulhall at full-forward while former hurling star Daniel Currams was introduced as a substitute.

Scorers for Offaly: K Casey (2-0), A Mulhall (1-2, 0-1f), W Mulhall (0-3), N Dunne (0-1)

Westmeath: C McCormack (0-4), K Martin (free), P Sheridan and T English (0-1 each)

OFFALY: K Meehan; J Gallagher, S Pender, B Darby; J Keane, P McConway, L Hiney; R Dalton, R Brady; G Guilfoyle, N Dunne, A Keenaghan; W Mulhall, A Mulhall, K Casey.

Subs: F Daly (for G Guilfoyle 28m), D Currams (for N Dunne 47m), N Smith (for J Keane 47m), B Hanamy (for A Mulhall 68m), D Kelly (for K Casey 68m).

WESTMEATH: D Quinn; M Dalton, K Sheridan, T Warburton; M Curley, M Ennis, K Maguire; T English, A Finnan; K Martin, M Gorman, P Sheridan; J Egan, C McCormack, D Mullen.

Subs: D McDermott (for T Warburton H/T), D Glennon (for D Mullen 47m), D McNicholas (for J Egan 55m),W Coyne (for M Gorman 67m), D Gavin (for P Sheridan 69m).

Referee: John Hickey (Carlow).