Offaly 5-24 Athlone IT 0-9:Athlone IT failed to provide Offaly with a real test in the opening round of the O'Byrne Cup in Tullamore, for at the end of a one-sided 70 minutes the visitors found themselves 30 points adrift.

Offaly named an almost full-strength side, but a late change saw John O'Hara make his debut for the Faithful County as a replacement for Pascal Kellaghan at centre-half forward. The former Dublin minor, now based in Clara, proved a real find for manager Pat Roe as he scored an impressive three goals and three fine points, all from play.

The Athlone side featured players from seven counties, but they trailed 2-14 to 0-6 at half-time, with O'Hara scoring both Offaly's goals. On the resumption the visitors notched two quick points, but the revival was short-lived and Offaly dominated the rest of the game, with all six starting forwards getting their names on the scoresheet.

A brace of goals by Niall McNamee, one from the penalty spot, and a third green flag by John O'Hara, stretched Offaly's lead to an imposing 5-18 to 0-8 entering the final quarter. Although now playing at half pace, they added six further points and conceded only one to finish runaway winners.

Offaly return to their home ground next Sunday when their second round opponents will be either Louth or Dublin City University who meet on Thursday evening.

OFFALY:P Kelly; G Rafferty, C Evans, J Keane; P McConway (0-1), R Fox, N Grennan; A McNamee, N Smith (0-2); K Casey (0-3), J O'Hara (3-3), D Egan (0-3); T Deehan (0-2), J Reynolds (0-2), N McNamee (2-7). Subs: B Darby (0-1)for Grennan, E Kavanagh for Evans, C Carroll for Smith, N Kelly for Rafferty, G O'Connor for McConway.

ATHLONE IT:D Bryan; S Higgins, F Reilly, A Murtagh, D Flynn, D Murphy, D McNerney, R Galligan (0-1),A Arandelovic, P Foy, T Phelan, J Durkan (0-1),R Kenny, J Coughlan (0-5), D Glennon (0-2). Subs:J Cuskelly for Kenny, J McKeague for Murphy, G Ward for Durkan, G O'Hanlon for McKeague.

Referee: J Curley(Meath).