Winning manager John Maughan said that the introduction of new players like the Edenderry 20-year-old is a huge boost as they plan for 2020.

“We’re an awful lot stronger than we were last year. The bottom line is that we’ve a bit of depth in the squad, there are young lads coming through and they’re doing well” said the Mayo man.

The foundation for the victory was lain in the first half when Offaly edged the spell by 0-8 to 0-7, despite playing into a strong wind. Five points without reply in the third quarter, four from Bernard Allen frees, effectively sealed the win.

A further blow to Westmeath was the confirmed metatarsal injury to former All Star nominee Kieran Martin, who now looks very likely to miss their National League opener against Clare in a fortnight.

Scorers for Offaly: B Allen (0-8f), J Hayes and C Farrell (0-1 mark) (0-2 each), R McNamee (free), P Dunican (free), C Mangan and C Johnson (0-1 each).

Scorers for Westmeath: Callum McCormack (0-5, 3f), L Dolan and Conor McCormack (0-1f) (0-2 each), L Loughlin (free), A Neary (0-1 each).

OFFALY: P Dunican; D Dempsey, E Rigney, N Darby; E Carroll, S Nally, J Hayes; M Brazil, C Mangan; J Dempsey, R McNamee, C McNamee; C Johnson, B Allen, A Sullivan.

Subs: C Donohoe for Dempsey (HT), R McEvoy for C McNamee (49), B Darby for Nally (54), C Farrell (0-2, 0-1m) for Sullivan (58), A Leavy for Brazil (61), C Donnelly for R McNamee (67).

WESTMEATH: J Daly; R Wallace, B Sayeh, K Maguire; K Daly, C Slevin, A McGivney; D Corroon, N Mulligan; N O’Reilly, J Dolan, D Lynch; L Dolan, Callum McCormack, Conor McCormack.

Subs: A A Neary for O’Reilly (HT), C Coughlan for Mulligan (HT), A Stone for Conor McCormack (58), L Loughlin for L Dolan (61), E Carberry for Daly (66), C Dillon for McGivney (68), S Connolly for Slevin (70), N Scally for Callum McCormack (70+4).

Referee: David Fedigan (Louth)