Offaly picked up their first win in this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup campaign by seeing off Westmeath on a 2-23 to 1-20 scoreline in Tullamore this afternoon.

Brian Duignan struck 1-11 for the hosts over the 70 minutes while a late goal from Dan Bourke ensured the victory while inflicting Westmeath with their second loss.

Offaly would be reduced to 14 men after just 20 seconds of this derby class following the dismissal of Jason Sampson before having the sliotar in the Lake men’s net three minutes later via a Duignan penalty.

David O’Reilly pulled back a goal for the visitors before going on to lose Darragh Egerton to a red card on 21 minutes after he’d picked up a caution on top of an earlier black card.

2 red cards (one after 20 seconds) in the opening 20 minutes

2 penalties in the opening 20 minutes

Offaly finally beat Westmeath 2-23 to 1-20 to keep their Joe McDonagh hopes alive.

Westmeath are now two losses from two.

Brian Duignan scored 1-11 for the winners pic.twitter.com/I75Zq9ZzcO

— Whats The Scór (@WhatstheScor) April 27, 2024

From there, the sides would go in all square at the break on 1-11 apiece and the second-half saw Offaly edge in front via the points of Duignan and Charlie Mitchell.

Killian Doyle, who finished with 0-15 to his name, kept Westmeath in touch until the late stages when Bourke’s goal cemented the win for Johnny Kelly’s charges.

Meanwhile, the competition’s other second round clash of the day saw Laois inflict Meath with a 31-point hammering.

It finished 7-29 to 1-16 in Trim, where Mark Dowling, Enda Rowland (penalty), Stephen Maher, James Duggan, Willie Dunphy, Martin Phelan and Mossy Keyes netted the goals for the visitors.

Today's @OfficialGAA Joe McDonagh Cup Results:@MeathGAA 1-16 7-29 @CLGLaois@Offaly_GAA 2-23 1-20 @Westmeath_GAA

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