Dubs send Westmeath to relegation zone

DUBLIN got their Allianz NFL title hopes back on track with a comfortable victory over Westmeath at Cusack Park yesterday.

Dublin 0-15 Westmeath 0-10

The ability of the Dublin forwards to pick off long-range points was the principal difference between the sides, but the home side will rue the number of goal chances they wasted.

The result leaves Paidi Ó Sé's men staring relegation in the face - their three remaining games are against Kerry, Tyrone and Mayo.

With both sides desperate for the points, it made for a great spectacle and the 8,082 spectators weren't disappointed.

The teams were level three times in the opening quarter, the home side having slightly the better of the exchanges. They created their first goal chance in the 10th minute, but Dessie Dolan failed to spot the unmarked Denis Glennon alone on the 13 metre line. Westmeath's cause wasn't helped by the loss of full-back Donal O'Donoghue with a recurring hamstring injury and it weakened their defence considerably as his replacement Fergal Murray couldn't handle Jason Sherlock and later Conal Keaney.

The ease with which the Dublin forwards were able to get through for points was clearly a problem for Páidí Ó Sé's men and, with Ciaran Whelan powering forward from midfield at every opportunity, the points came.

The opening 20 minutes were hugely exciting and after the sides were level four times, points by Tomás Quinn and Jason Sherlock edged Dublin in front and they were to stay there for the remainder of the match.

In contrast Westmeath made extremely hard work of scoring. The chances were created but their forwards were inclined to take make the extra pass which allowed the Dublin defenders to get in the block.

However the home side continued to create the goal chances and Dessie Dolan was only inches away after his shot ran across the face of the Dublin goal and wide.

And it got worse for Westmeath a minute later when the impressive Denis Glennon who gave Paddy Christie a bit of a roasting had his jersey pulled as he bore down on goal. Glennon shot tamely at Stephen Cluxton.

Dublin were a little flattered to go in at the break leading 0-8 to 0-6.

Westmeath's tale of woe continued into the second half when Cluxton denied Alan Mangan a goal with another splendid save. Dublin upped the ante considerably from there on and rifled over four points in a row to put daylight between the sides at 0-12 to 0-7 after 45 minutes.

The lively Jason Sherlock and Senan Connell who had a marvellous match, put six points between the sides before Cluxton was again in action, this time denying Denis Glennon.

Two late points by Dolan and substitute Joe Fallon only served to put a more respectable look on the scoreboard, but in truth Westmeath were a well beaten side at the final whistle.

Coach Páidí O Sé said it was one of his side's better displays, and had they performed like that in earlier rounds, would have picked up maximum points off Cork and Fermanagh.

"The lads rose to the Dublin challenge but didn't take our chances. We probably created more goal chances than they did but didn't have much luck around goal. Hopefully it will all come right for us by the time the championship comes around."

Scorers: Dublin: S. Connell, T. Quinn (frees) 0-4 each; C. Whelan 0-3; B. Cullen 0-2; C. Keaney, J. Sherlock 0-1 each; Westmeath: F.Wilson (0-2 frees), D. Dolan 0-4 each; D. Glennon, J. Fallon 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Henry, P. Christie, P. Griffin; C. Moran, D. Magee, S. Ryan; C. Whelan, D. O'Mahony; C. Keaney, B. Cullen, S. Connell; T Quinn, J. Sherlock, D. Lally. Subs. C. Goggins for Christie; D. Homan for Lally; P. Andrews for Griffin; R. Cosgrave for Keaney; K. Golden for Sherlock.

WESTMEATH: G. Connaughton; J. Davitt, D. O'Donoghue, J. Keane; B. Morley, A. Canning, D. Heavin; R. O'Connell, D. O'Shaughnessy; S. Colleary, M. Ennis, A. Mangan; F. Wilson, D. Glennon, D. Dolan. Subs. F. Murray for O'Donoghue; D. Gavin for Murray; G. Dolan for Ennis; J. Fallon for Wilson.

Referee: M. Deegan (Laois).