Dublin 1-22
Westmeath 0-9
DUBLIN BEAT WESTMEATH 1-22 to 0-9 in Croke Park this evening, with Jim Gavin’s side largely untroubled over the course of the game.
A late goal from Paddy Andrews rounded off their victory, in a match which their opponents rarely looked capable of winning.
The Dubs got off to a very good start, with two points apiece from Bernard Brogan and Paddy Andrews helping them secure a 0-8 to 0-0 lead.
However, Westmeath belatedly showed signs of life, as a good spell for the visitors saw them register four points in succession, with Denis Glennon and John Heslin (3) on target.
However, perhaps sensing the threat, Dublin upped their game once more, and subsequently established a 0-12 to 0-4 lead going into the break.
The second half continued in a similar fashion. While two points from Heslin and one from Kieran Martin early on kept Westmeath’s slim hopes alive, Dublin continued to dominate the play for the most part.
Bernard Brogan scored his fifth point of the game to make it 0-14 to 0-7, before scores by Paul Flynn, Diarmuid Connolly, Ciaran Kilkenny and another from Brogan added to their tally.
In the last five minutes, the hosts managed to put a gloss on the scoreline. Points from Dean Rock (2) and Diarmuid Connolly, as well as a coolly-taken side-footed goal into the corner of the net by Paddy Andrews, emphasised the gap in quality between the two sides.
Scorers for Dublin: Bernard Brogan 0-7 (0-5f), Paddy Andrews 1-3, Paul Flynn, Diarmuid Connolly 0-3 each, Dean Rock 0-2 (0-1f), Cian O’Sullivan, Paul Mannion, Jack McCaffrey, Ciaran Kilkenny 0-1 each.Scorers for Westmeath: John Heslin 0-5 (0-5f), Denis Glennon 0-2, Kieran Martin, Denis Corroon 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton (Parnells); Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna), Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens); James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams), Ger Brennan (St Vincent’s), Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf); Michael Dara Macauley (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes); Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Diarmuid Connolly (St Vincent’s), Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock); Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes), Paddy Andrews (St Brigids), Bernard Brogan (Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruaidh).
Subs: Kevin O’Brien (Naomh Mearnóg) for Daly (43), Nicky Devereux (Ballinteer St John’s) for McCarthy (48), Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams) for Mannion (52), Denis Bastick (Templeogue/Synge Street) for MacAuley (55), Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcilles) for Brogan (60)
WESTMEATH: Gary Connaughton (Tubberclair); Mark McCallion (Garrycastle), Kieran Gavin (Mullingar Shamrocks), Kevin Maguire (Caulry); Doron Harte (Garrycastle),Paul Sharry (St Loman’s), John Gaffey (Garrycastle); David Duffy (Shandonagh), John Heslin (St Loman’s); Kieran Martin (Maryland), Callum McCormack (Maryland), James Dolan (Garrycastle); Ger Egan (Tyrrellspass), Denis Glennon (Tyrrellspass), Ciaran Curley (Mullingar Shamrocks)
Subs: Damian Dolan (Caulry) for Harte (48), Denis Corroon (Mullingar Shamrocks) for Curley (48), Darragh Daly (Mullingar Shamrocks) for Duffy (48), Paul Bannon (Athlone) for Egan (63), Aaron Purcell (Mullingar Shamrocks) for McCallon (65).
Referee: Eddie Kinsella (Laois)
Got to respect his honesty tonne fair. It’s always easy to be critical.
Let’s hope it works out for him. Acknowledging that he was doing himself no favours sounds like a step in the right direction
best of luck to him, wasnt aware that he was hanging around with an unhelpful crew.
but at the same time every single sports person always says they are in the best shape physically and mentally ever so will wait to see how he goes.
It is probably a good thing for him to move to Italy. There is obviously a culture he is trying to get away from. If he eats and trains properly and focuses on soccer he could have a good career. They are built up and then knocked down. They work so hard to get to the top level but loads of them throw it away. Too much money too young perhaps. I think it’s generally they surround themselves with the wrong type of people. A player dyeing their hair for me is usually a very bad sign, they’ve lost focus completely. I hope he knuckles down and gives it everything because it feels like the last chance saloon