Bugler on song as Dubs sink Lake men

DUBLIN 2-16 WESTMEATH 1-13 TOM GRAY’S Dublin were forced to battle hard for this six-point win over Westmeath in Parnell Park.

It was all Dublin in the opening 10 minutes, scoring the opening four points without reply, but Westmeath responded magnificently with full-forward Sean Pettit finding the back of the net after an excellent pass from Tom Molloy.

A further score from Molloy levelled the game, before a free from Tom Keane restored Dublin’s advantage.

Adam Loughlin’s 22nd-minute point gave Westmeath a 1-5 to 0-6 advantage but they were dealt a killer blow just three minutes later when Dublin centre-forward James Madden found the net after a superb solo run.

Two further scores from James Doran gave the Dubs a 1-8 to 1-5 interval advantage.

Dublin pushed on in the second period, scoring the first four points after the interval before Sean Bugler registered a lovely point and moments later a second Dublin goal after being picked out superbly by Doran.

Westmeath never gave up and Pettit’s 45 was the final score of the day.

SCORERS – Dublin: S Bugler 1-4; J Doran 0-4 (1f); J Madden 1-0; T Keane (1f), C Howley and D O’Brien 0-2 each; S Farrelly and C Archer (f) 0-1 each. Westmeath: S Pettit 1-6 (3 45, 1f); T Molloy and J Tumelty (2f) 0-2 each; A Loughlin, G Carr and D Reid 0-1 each. DUBLIN – D O’Hanlon; N Nolan, N Doran, C Smith; S Farrelly, N Matthews, E O’Dea; D Ryan, E Fitzpatrick; C Howley, J Madden, T Keane; D O’Brien, J Doran, S Bugler. Subs: J Holland for Fitzpatrick (41), C Archer for Keane (45), M Mullin for Nolan (47), R Shaw for O’Dea (52), K L Bissett for Madden (54), R McGarry for Howley (57).

WESTMEATH – J Nugent; C Dillon, G Carr, E Bracken; J Moran, E Nally, P Maxwell; A Loughlin, J Tumulty; D Reid, N Harte, J Maxwell; T Molloy, S Petit, B Cox. Subs: K Regan for Cox (37), S Clinton for Dillon (42), B Kavanagh for Molloy (55), C Mannion for Reid (55).

REF – B Cawley (Kildare).