Dublin 0-12
Westmeath 0-11

Dublin have started the New Year on a winning note after Ciaran Kilkenny's late point handed them a 0-12 to 0-11 victory over Westmeath at Cusack Park.

Kilkenny, who was one of just two of Dublin's All-Ireland final starting XV, landed the winner in the 68th minute after veteran substitute Dessie Dolan had twice give the home side the lead in the final straight.

In a game which didn't see any black cards brandished (Dublin's Darragh Nelson was fortunate to escape with a yellow card for a foul on Paul Sharry in the 49th minute), the All-Ireland champions held a slender 0-6 to 0-5 lead at the break.

On the restart, the visitors opened up a 0-8 to 0-5 advantage, but they then went 18 minutes without scoring as Westmeath stormed back with scores from Dolan and Lorcan Smyth. After Dolan was unlucky to see another attempt hit the post, Eric Lowndes drew the Dubs level before Kilkenny grabbed the winner.

Dublin - S Cluxton; D Nelson, S George, M Fitzsimons; E Lowdnes (0-1), D Daly, K Nolan; D O'Mahony, S Carthy; C Walsh (0-1), H Dawson (0-1), J Whelan (0-2); P Hudson (0-4, 3f), C Kilkenny (0-2), P Ryan. Subs: E Fanning (0-1) for Ryan, J Cooper for George, C Guckian for Nolan, C Mullins for O'Mahony.

Westmeath - D Quinn; S Gilmore, S Flynn, Damien Dolan; J Gonoud (0-1), J Gilligan, J Egan; D Duffy (0-1), D Coroon; L Smith (0-1), G Hoey, P Sharry (0-2f); K Daly, A Giles (0-3f), C McCormack (0-1). Subs: T McDaniels for K Daly, Dessie Dolan (0-2) for Giles, S Daly for Smith, D Harte for Hoey.

Referee - D Coldrick. Tweet

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