Westmeath make history against Offaly

Offaly 0-10 Westmeath 0-11, 4pm, P Russell (Tipperary)

Paidi O Se is the toast of Westmeath following his side's first Leinster SFC win over midland rivals Offaly since 1949.

Despite two late attempts from Ciaran McManus and Neville Coughlan, Offaly failed to draw level after Westmeath half back Michael Ennis struck over on 67 minutes for what was the winning point in a 0-11 to 0-10 win at Croke Park.

O Se's side fought off the the disappointment of midfielder Rory O'Connell's 46th minute straight red card for striking an opponent, to deliver a superb display in front of 32,563.

Corner forward Dessie Dolan drove them on unwittingly to a first half lead of 0-07 to 0-03 with four excellent points, and despite Offaly drawing back level with five minutes remaining, they claimed the win that sees them back at headquarters on June 6th to face Dublin (2.15pm).

Offaly: P Kelly; S Sullivan, C Evans, S Brady; B Mooney, C Daly, K Slattery; C McManus, J Grennan; P Kelleghan, R Malone, A McNamee; C Quinn, N Coughlan, N McNamee.

Westmeath: G Connaughton; J Davitt, D O'Donoghue, J Keane; M Ennis, D Healy, D Heavin; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; B Morley, G Dolan, A Mangan; F Wilson, D Glennon, D Dolan.

Full report to follow…