Duignan masterclass leaves Westmeath facing the drop

Offaly overcame ferocious early odds to get the result they had to in a must-win Joe McDonagh Cup shootout in Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.

With both sides having lost their opening round last week, this was effectively a knockout game – though Westmeath could still survive if results fall their way.

Relegated from the Leinster championship last year, Westmeath are now on life support and they had no complaints at the outcome here as Offaly were the better side overall and turned the screw in the second half.

There was no short of talking points in a drama packed first half. Westmeath had first use of the wind and the sides were level at 1-11 each at half time but that only touches on the full story.

Offaly captain Jason Sampson was sent off after just 20 seconds when Aoghus Clarke went down under his tackle. A penalty goal from Brian Duignan put Offaly 1-01 to 0-01 ahead after two minutes. David O'Reilly got in for a Westmeath goal to level it up at 1-02 each after five minutes while visiting goalkeeper Noel Conaty made an excellent save from Duignan's seventh-minute penalty.

Westmeath wing back Darragh Egerton got a black card for that foul on Duignan and was sent off after 21 minutes when he got a yellow. Westmeath were 1-07 to 1-06 ahead at that stage and there was almost nothing separating the sides in the first half.

Offaly were 1-10 to 1-08 ahead after 28 minutes but Westmeath got three of the closing four points to go in level at half time.

Killian Doyle edged Westmeath in front on the restart but four in a row, the pick of them a long range Cillian Kiely point, put Offaly in the driving seat, 1-15 to 1-12 after 43 minutes.

Three points still separated the sides, 1-19 to 1-16 after 61 minutes and Westmeath did very