Offaly triumph in friendly against Westmeath

The Offaly senior footballers continued their preparations for the Leinster championship with a narrow win over Westmeath in this highly entertaining challenge match at Cloghan last Sunday. In a high scoring affair - with the teams sharing seven goals - a late point by Tubber's Bernard Allen sealed a one-point victory for Offaly. The home side led by seven points early in the second half, but Westmeath managed to draw level close to the end, before Allen's late intervention sealed the issue. Defender Sean Pender and impressive midfielder Niall Smith scored Offaly's first-half goals, with Daniel Currams adding the third early in the second period. From Offaly's point of view, probably the most eye-catching aspect of the outing was the display of James Coughlan. The Doon player recently returned to the Offaly panel, and he showed that he has lost none of his attacking flair, scoring five points (four from play). In advance of the match, GAA President Liam O'Neill officially opened the impressive new facilities at the home ground of St Rynagh's football club. With a barbecue and music forming part of the evening's entertainment, the beautiful weather lent a carnival atmosphere to proceedings. The host club are to be commended for doing such a fine job in organising the occasion, particularly given that the challenge match fixture had to be changed twice. Offaly - who face Kildare in the quarter-finals of the Leinster SFC on June 17 - looked sharper in the early stages and led by 2-7 to 2-4 at half-time. The opening goal came in the eighth minute, Niall Smith setting up raiding defender Sean Pender, who took advantage of slack Westmeath marking and fired to the net. Kieran Martin was keeping Westmeath in touch with frees and Callum McCormack found the Offaly net in the 15th minute, to leave the Faithful leading by 1-4 to 1-2. Michael Ennis raised Westmeath's first white flag from open play, either side of two sweet points by Offaly corner-forward James Coughlan. Pat Flanagan's charges were level in the 22nd minute when the industrious Ger Egan handpassed across the goalmouth, giving McCormack the chance to palm the ball to the net. However, sloppy handpassing in defence by the visitors presented Offaly with a easy goal just three minutes later. Alan McNamee's pass set up midfield partner Niall Smith, who hit the ball under Gary Connaughton and into the net. Smith's fielding ability was a feature of the contest and he also scored 1-1. After another point from a Kieran Martin free, substitute Bernard Allen put Tom Coffey's side three in front at the interval, firing over when another goal looked a possibility. Within seconds of the restart, Westmeath conceded another goal, though this one had good fortune attached to it. A point attempt by James Coughlan came back off the upright, presenting Daniel Currams with the simple task of palming the ball to the net. James Dolan replied with a fine score but points by the lively Ken Casey and Alan McNamee left Offaly firmly in control. Westmeath substitute Alan Giles got on the scoresheet and further scores from Ger Egan and Callum McCormack edged the visitors closer. The game was really thrown back in the melting point when James Dolan fired to the net in the 49th minute. Sean Pender was unable to hold a long delivery from Kieran Martin, and Dolan took full advantage after cutting inside. In common with almost all challenge games, the several substitutions on both sides disrupted the flow of the game. But the closeness of the scoring kept the attendance interested right to the finish. After Offaly moved four points clear, with Coughlan's accuracy to the fore, Westmeath got back into contention again with a goal from a penalty by James Dolan. Substitute Trevor English had found the net at the second attempt, but referee Brian Gavin had already blown for a 'foot block'. Dolan did the needful from the spot and a fine point by Aidan Finnan levelled matters, before Allen had the last word. Scorers - Offaly: J Coughlan 0-5 (1f); N Smith 1-1; K Casey 0-4 (2f); S Pender and D Currams 1-0 each; B Allen 0-2; A Sullivan and A McNamee 0-1 each. Westmeath: C McCormack and J Dolan (1-0pen) 2-1 each; K Martin 0-3 (3f); G Egan 0-2; M Ennis, A Giles and A Finnan 0-1 each. Offaly: Alan Mulhall; Eoin Rigney, James Gallagher, Sean Pender; Brian Darby, Johnny Moloney, Lorcan Hiney; Alan McNamee, Niall Smith; Mark Dunne, Daniel Currams, Ken Casey; Anton Sullivan, Nigel Dunne, James Coughlan. Subs used: Bernard Allen, Shane Sullivan, John Reynolds, Michael Brazil, Keith McGuinness, Alan Lynam, Joe Higgins, Brian Hanamy. Westmeath: Gary Connaughton; Mark McCallon, John Gaffey, Kevin Maguire; Doron Harte, Paul Sharry, Daniel McDermott; Aidan Finnan, Paul Bannon; Kieran Martin, Ger Egan, James Dolan; Ronan Foley, Callum McCormack, Michael Ennis. Subs used: Denis Corroon, Davy Gavin, Alan Giles, John Egan, Trevor English, Tommy Warburton, Philip Sheridan. Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).