Offaly recorded a 2-15 to 1-10 quarter-final win over Westmeath at O'Connor Park tonight and will host holders Wexford for a place in the provincial final.

With 1,276 paying punters in attendance, the Lake County couldn't have asked for a better start as Darragh Clinton's long delivery went all the way to the net direct from the throw-in but Emmet Nolan quickly hit back with a three-pointer for the hosts. However, two Niall O'Brien frees ensured the visitors of a slender 1-2 to 1-1 advantage after seven minutes.

Westmeath had a Niall Mitchell goal ruled out for a square ball and the next two points were traded to give them a one-point lead after 15 minutes. A Dylan Murray free made it 1-3 each but back came Westmeath with a third O'Brien pointed free.

Another Murray free had the Faithfuls back on terms with five minutes left before the interval, 1-5 apiece, but the home side landed two of the last three points of an entertaining opening period to lead by 1-7 to 1-6 at half time.

An Adrian Cleary goal gave Offaly the perfect start to the second half and the Faithful County, now with wind advantage, kicked on with points from Murray and Cleary to lead by 2-9 to 1-6. The visitors strived to get back into contention and were out of luck when the sliothar rebounded off the Offaly crossbar, but the home side managed to keep their noses in front, with Cleary cancelling out a Ciaran Doyle free to make it 2-11 to 1-9 with nine minutes remaining.

Captain Conor Doughan saw red for the winners when he received a second yellow before the losers had Niall O'Brien sent off near the end and Cleary made no mistake as his free left six between them. In the end, the scoreboard was harsh on Westmeath but Offaly deserve their crack at three-in-a-row seeking Wexford on June 24th.

Offaly - K O'Connor; D Corbett, C Kiely (0-1), P Rigney; G Crowe, C Doughan (0-1f), D Doughan; K Dunne (0-1), P Guinan; J O'Toole Greene, M Maloney, E Nolan (1-2); A Cleary (1-3), J Maher, D Murray (0-6f). Subs: C Molloy for D Doughan, A Connolly for J Maher, S Guinan for J O'Toole Greene, E Cahill (0-1f) for D Murray.

Westmeath - W Casserly; C Shaw, T Gallagher, T Egan; M Heeney, G Greville, L Varley; M Daly (0-1), R Greville; C Doyle (0-5, 3f), D Clinton (1-2, 0-1f), E Corrigan; N O'Brien (0-2f), N Mitchell, K Doyle. Subs: L Cassidy for M Heeney, B Doyle for N Mitchell, F Deegan for C Doyle.

Referee - B O'Leary.

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