John Heslin had nudged the midlanders into an early lead at Celtic Park, but Derry hit back with two goals in the space of 45 seconds.

Corner forward O'Boyle notched the opener, finishing off a pinpoint cross from Ciaran McFaul, and then Heron added the second straight from the kick-out, netting for a 2-0 to 0-1 lead with corner back Steven Gilmore left exposed.

Westmeath weathered the storm briefly and Heslin had four points on the board by half-time, with Kieran Martin and Ger Egan joining him on the scoresheet.

However, Derry were still 2-7 to 0-6 to the good with Under-21 player Kevin Johnston, captain Mark Lynch, O'Boyle, Emmett McGuckin all pointing for the Oak Leafers.

Indeed, they would have been further in front had their conversion rate been better. The talismanic Lynch narrowly missed out on a goal and Johnston was denied by Westmeath goalkeeper Stephen Gallagher late in the half.

Kielt and Heslin swapped points on the restart and the latter kept the visitors in contention before Sean Leo McGoldrick raced through to pass for McGuckin to fist home Derry's third goal - making it 3-11 to 0-8.

Lakesiders boss Paul Bealin had made a series of changes and positional switches in the third quarter - James Dolan was pushed into the top line of the attack with Heslin operating at midfield and Ray Connellan on the forty - but Derry remained in full control.

The closest Westmeath came to a goal was when Dessie Dolan's 51st-minute effort was pushed onto the woodwork by Derry net minder Thomas Mallon. There were also wides from David Duffy and Heslin in the closing stages.

Brian McIver's Derry side, who are second in the table behind leaders Cork, showed no mercy as they completed their 13-point rout with final scores from Enda Lynn, Lynch and McGoldrick.

The back-to-back victories over Kerry and Westmeath mean the Ulstermen are right in the hunt after the opening three rounds, with their Ballinderry Shamrocks players still to return.

Derry's trip to Cork next Sunday will be a mouth-watering encounter, while bottom side Westmeath will hope to end their winless streak at home to third-from-bottom Mayo, who have two points from their first three games.

DERRY: T Mallon; M Craig, C McKaigue, D McBride; K Johnston (0-1), A McAlynn, SL McGoldrick (0-1); F Doherty, M Lynch (0-6, 0-4f); C McFaul (0-2), J Kielt (0-2, 0-1f), E Lynn (0-2); B Heron (1-0), E McGuckin (1-1), C O'Boyle (1-1).

Subs used: Patsy Bradley for Doherty (48 mins), N Holly for J Kielt, C Kielt for Johnston (both 54), A Kerrigan for Lynn (60), O Duffy for McKaigue, C McWilliams for McAlynn (both 63).

WESTMEATH: S Gallagher; S Gilmore, K Gavin, K Maguire; J Dolan (0-1), J Gilligan, J Egan; D Duffy, P Sharry; J Heslin (0-7, 0-6f), G Egan (0-2), K Martin (0-1); C McCormack, R Connellan, D Dolan (0-1).

Subs used: J Gonoud for J Egan (39 mins), D McCormack for Connelllan (45), S Flynn for Sharry (47), G Hoey for Martin (54), D Corroon for C McCormack (54), D Harte for Gilmore (61).

Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligo)