Leinster U20FC: Dubs have too much for Westmeath

June 04, 2018

Westmeath's Nigel Harte.
©INPHO/Bryan Keane.

Dublin 2-16

Westmeath 1-13

James Madden and Sean Bulger netted in either half as Dublin made it two wins from two in Group 1 of the Leinster U20FC at the expense of Westmeath in Parnell Park.

Facile winners over Longford in the first round, the Dubs are on course to qualify for the semi-final ahead of their final group game against Wexford, while Westmeath need to beat Longford in their last group outing if they're to progress.

The hosts stormed into an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead through points from Sean Farrelly, Cormac Howley, Bulger and Doran before Westmeath levelled with a goal from the impressive Sean Pettit and a point from Ben Cox. Tom Keane (free) and Pettit then traded points before Pettit added two more to give Damien Gavin's underdogs a 1-4 to 0-5 lead after 20 minutes.

Adam Loughlin-Stones kept Westmeath two in front before centre forward Madden struck a 24th minute goal to restore Dublin's lead before Doran tagged on two points to leave them 1-8 to 1-5 in front at the interval.

Tom Gray's charges resumed with unanswered points from Farrelly, Dan O'Brien (two) and Bulger before Westmeath replied with three from Gareth Carr - son of former Dublin manager Tommy - Tom Molloy and Kevin Regan to keep themselves in contention.

But Bulger's 48th minute goal propelled the home side into a 2-14 to 1-9 lead and there was no way back for the Lake County after that, despite a haul of 1-6 from Rosemount clubman Pettit.

Dublin - D O'Hanlon; C Smith, N Doran, N Nolan; S Farrelly (0-1), N Matthews, E O'Dea; D Ryan, E Fitzpatrick; C Howley (0-2), J Madden (1-0), T Keane (0-2, 1f); D O'Brien (0-2), J Doran (0-4, 1f), S Bugler (1-4). Subs: J Holland for E Fitzpatrick, C Archer (0-1f) for T Keane, M Mullin for N Nolan, R Shaw for E O'Dea, K Lynch Bissett for J Madden, R McGarry for C Howley.

Westmeath - J Nugent; E Bracken, G Carr (0-1), J Moran; C Dillon, E Nally, P Maxwell; A Loughlin (0-1), J Tumulty (0-2f); J Maxwell, N Harte, D Reid (0-1); T Molloy (0-2), S Pettit (1-6, 0-3'45, 0-1f), B Cox. Subs: K Regan for B Cox, S Clinton for C Dillon, B Kavanagh for T Molloy, C McCormack for D Reid.

Referee - B Cawley.


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