Dublin 2-13

Westmeath 0-6

Two goals in a 30-second spell paved the way for Dublin to take their fifth Leinster SFC title in succession at Croke Park this afternoon writes Cóilín Duffy.

Jim Gavin's men were pushed to the pin of their collars for large stages of this game, but took firm control thanks to goals from Bernard Brogan and Jack McCaffrey in the 40th minute, and from then on they never looked back.

Westmeath, eager to claim their first title since their inaugural 2004 success, were keen to start well, and were handed the perfect start, when John Heslin fired their first point inside two minutes.

Dublin were guilty of a lot of missed chances in front of the posts, particularly in the opening half, with Diarmuid Connolly claiming the first of those in the third minute.

The Metropolitans defence was in attacking mood throughout this match, with Philly McMahon opening their account after seven minutes, after Dublin made 10 passes in the lead up to the score.

Dublin kicked into form after this and added four further unanswered scores, with James McCarthy, Michael Darragh Macauley and Dean Rock on target, to claim a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Westmeath badly needed a score, and broke a 24-minute barren spell, with Heslin converting his second free.

Dublin responded with scores from Connolly and Ciaran Kilkenny, but Westmeath finished the half strongly with Kieran Martin and Heslin on target, while Kilkenny pegged a point back for Dublin before the break, on the way to an 0-8 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Dublin hit hard on the restart, firing 2-1 unanswered in the opening five minutes of the second half.

Connolly fired his second point, before a goal rush - Paul Flynn setting up Bernard Brogan for the first goal, and then McCaffrey capitalised on a poor kick out from Darren Quinn, to push his side 2-9 to 0-4 clear.

Martin registered a much required score for Westmeath, after a Ray Connellan pass, but this was quickly cancelled out by Connolly.

Again Westmeath responded with John Gilligan setting up Francis Boyle for a score, but this was to be the Lake County's final score in the 46th minute.

From there until the end, Dublin kicked on, but saw their wides tally stand at 16 at the full-time whistle.

John Small had an effort ruled out by HawkEye in the final minute, but it mattered little, as once again the Dubs annexed a provincial crown.

After the game Stephen Cluxton accepted the Delaney Cup from fellow Dublin man and Leinster GAA Chairman John Horan.

It's Dublin's 54th Leinster Senior Football title, stretching the gap to 32 successes more than second placed Meath.

Dublin now look forward to the All-Ireland Quarter-finals, while Westmeath await the winners of the next set of qualifiers.

Dublin Scorers: B Brogan (1-1); J McCaffrey (1-0); D Connolly and C Kilkenny (0-3 each); D Rock (0-2, 2f); P McMahon, J McCarthy, MD Macauley and A Brogan (0-1 each).

Westmeath Scorers: J Heslin (0-3, 2f); K Martin (0-2); F Boyle (0-1).

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Jonny Cooper, Rory O'Carroll, Philly McMahon; James McCarthy, Cian O'Sullivan, Jack McCaffrey; Brian Fenton, Michael Darragh Macauley; Paul Flynn, Ciaran Kilkenny, Diarmuid Connolly; Dean Rock, Kevin McManamon, Bernard Brogan. Subs: Michael Fitzsimons for Cooper (HT); Paddy Andrews for McManamon (47); Denis Bastick for Macauley (51); Alan Brogan for Rock (55); John Small for McMahon (61); Tomas Brady for Connolly (65).

WESTMEATH: Darren Quinn; Kevin Maguire, Francis Boyle, Killian Daly; David Lynch, Paul Sharry, James Dolan; Paddy Holloway, Denis Corroon; Ger Egan, Ray Connellan, John Gilligan; Kieran Martin, John Heslin, Shane Dempsey. Subs: Kieran Gavin for Dempsey (HT); Paul Greville for Lynch (HT); Callum McCormack for Connellan (52); Denis Glennon for Holloway (53); John Egan for Heslin (61); Jamie Gonoud for McCormack (64).

REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).

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