WESTMEATH 2-12
OFFALY 0-12
Westmeath senior footballers recorded their second derby victory in successive Allianz National League Division 3 fixtures as they maintained their quest for promotion with a hard earned six point win over Offaly in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Sunday last.
Following on from a comprehensive victory over Longford in their previous league outing, the Lake County claimed a vital brace of league points, the win placing Westmeath in second position on the division table with three games played.
Trailing by two points at half time, the introduction of stalwart, Kieran Martin, proved pivotal to the game's outcome, the Maryland clubman's goal on 61 minutes the crucial moment in what was a delicately poised contest.
Martin has been to the scoring fore on so many occasions for Westmeath through his intercounty career, Sunday's goal proving his continued importance to the squad who have responded to that opening encounter defeat to Cavan with successive victories which now place Dessie Dolan's charges in a strong division position prior to the fourth series of games.
An early goal from a John Heslin penalty seemed to settle the hosts, but Offaly were not to be deterred and seven points in an evenly contested first half saw the visitors enjoy scoreboard supremacy at the interval.
The game continued to remain evenly balanced as the second half progressed but the substitution of Martin for Castledaly clubman, Lorcan Dolan, spurred the Lake County into a more flowing mode of play which was duly rewarded with the game changing goal as the game approached its conclusion.
Westmeath exerted their dominance in the closing phase of the game, a six point win certainly flattering the hosts as thoughts now turn towards the long journey to Esler Park in Newry, Down providing the league opposition on Saturday evening (throw in, 6pm ).
With both counties attaining four points from their opening set of fixtures, a Westmeath win will be hard earned yet crucial to promotion aspirations, a potential third successive league victory certain to further boost management and playing squad morale as the Lake County's competitive season continues at pace.
