Westmeath footballers gained a rare but totally merited victory over near neighbours Offaly in this thrilling and well-fought O'Byrne Cup game at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.

Played under a downpour, the eventual outcome was delicately balanced until "man of the match" Dessie Dolan slotted home the only goal of the game, with four minutes remaining.

Westmeath deservedly led by 05 to 0-3 at the break, but Offaly fought their way back in the third quarter and with Ciaran McManus showing tremendous accuracy from frees, the sides were tied at 0-6 each after 53 minutes.

Just when it seemed as if the game could go into extra-time, Dolan ghosted in behind the Offaly defence to run on to a superb pass from Healy and rifle home a marvellous goal.

Westmeath were now in top gear and points from Ger Heavin and substitute Kenny Lyons gave them their five-point success.

Westmeath: D Ryan; A Lyons, D Murphy, D Brady; D Healy (0-1), K Ryan, D Mitchell; D O'Shaughnessy, R O'Connell; P Conway, T Cleary (0-1), S Colleary (0-1); G Heavin (0-1), M Flanagan, D Dolan (1-3). Subs: K Lyons (0- 1) for Cleary; M Ennis for Heavin.

Offaly: K Furlong; C Daly, B Malone, D Foley; J Kenny, R Mooney, F Cullen; J Grennan (0-1), C McManus (0-3); C Quinn, S Grennan, M Daly (0-1); D Ryan, P Brady, R Malone (0- 1). Subs: V Claffey for Brady; J Stewart for Ryan; W Reynolds for S Grennan.

Referee: J Rutherford (Dublin).