Senior Hurlers Finish League Campaign With Victory Over Westmeath

DUBLIN 2-22 

WESTMEATH 0-15 

Dublin finished up their Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B campaign on a winning note as they accounted for Westmeath by thirteen points at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

There wasn’t too much to separate the sides in the opening-half but the dismissal of Westmeath’s Aaron Craig in the 32nd minute allowed the hosts to enjoy a five-point interval advantage.

Dublin took their time to eventually make their extra-man pay but a 53rd minute goal from substitute Fergal Whitely and a superb effort from Cian O’Sullivan in added time added a positive gloss to the final scoreline.

In what was a relatively even opening to events, Dublin took an early advantage through points from Brian Hayes and Donal Burke (free).

The visitors replied in kind through David Williams (free) and Killian Doyle before the Dubs edged back in front through a fine Mark Grogan score in the 9th minute.

The hosts could and should have been further ahead as the contest evolved with Paul Crummey going close to the first goal in the 11th minute while Diarmuid Ó Dúlaing was denied by an excellent Noel Conaty save three minutes later.

Dublin eventually doubled their lead through Paul Crummey in the 15th minute but some poor handling errors ensured that Westmeath stayed in the hunt as they drew level by the 20th minute following a brace of Williams frees.

Dublin did eventually gain some momentum through three unanswered points by Burke, Danny Sutcliffe and Crummey with the visitors hitting back through a fine Shane McGovern score.

Jake Malone and Doyle traded points soon after but the contest turned irrevocably in Dublin’s favour as Westmeath’s wing-back Aaron Craig was dismissed for a dangerous hit on Burke.

The hosts finished the half on the front foot as a Cian O’Sullivan free and a smart Donal Leavy score pushed them 0-11 to 0-6 clear by the interval. 

Despite their numerical disadvantage, it was Westmeath that resumed in a positive fashion with substitutes Davy Glennon and Aonghus Clarke making instant impacts with well-taken points.

However, it was unlikely to prove sufficient as Dublin gradually improved their efficiencies in front on goal, as reflected in points by Sutcliffe, Crummey and Brian Hayes.

When Whitely cut inside smartly at the start of the fourth quarter to hammer the ball low past Conaty, the contest was effectively settled as Dublin moved further clear through two points in as many minutes by James Madden.

Westmeath continued to battle and were rewarded as Peter Clarke and Williams shared four points in the final quarter but they were powerless to prevent O’Sullivan from racing through onto Whitely’s pass as the Dubs turned their focus onto their Leinster Championship opener against Wexford in four weeks’ time.

Scorers – Dublin: C O’Sullivan 1-4 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘65’), D Burke (2f), J Madden, P Crummey, D Sutcliffe 0-3 apiece, F Whitely 1-0, M Grogan, B Hayes 0-2 each, D Leavy, J Malone 0-1 each. Westmeath: D Williams 0-7 (7f), K Doyle, P Clarke 0-2 each, T Doyle, S McGovern, D Glennon, A Clarke 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: S Brennan; J Madden, P Smyth, J Bellew; C Crummey, C Donohoe, D Leavy; M Grogan, B Hayes; D Sutcliffe, D Burke, J Malone; D Ó Dúlaing, C O’Sullivan, P Crummey. Subs: F Whitely for Burke (33), R Hayes for Ó Dúlaing (46), D Power for Leavy (46), S Currie for Sutcliffe (58), L Murphy for P Crummey (65), S Gallagher for B Hayes (67).

Westmeath: N Conaty; D Egerton, J Bermingham, C Gaffney; A Craig, T Doyle, K Regan; P Clarke, S McGovern; K Doyle, D Williams, D O’Reilly; D Clinton, N Mitchell, O McCabe. Subs: D Glennon for Clinton (half-time), A Clarke for McCabe (half-time), E Keyes for Mitchell (42), C Doyle for O’Reilly (46), A Ennis for Bermingham (Blood Sub, 58), S Clavin for McGovern (63).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).