O’Sullivan’s late goal sees off disappointing Westmeath challenge

A contest last Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park between two teams who already knew their National Hurling League fate for 2025 had all the hallmarks of its ‘dead rubber’ status, Dublin eventually easing past 14-man Westmeath in an error-strewn and wide-laden match which will be quickly forgotten.

In truth, this was a poor display by the men in maroon and white. This was all the more disappointing, following as it did, two creditable ‘moral’ victories and one ‘proper’ victory in the previous three outings. Apart from a typically-tigerish display by Darragh Egerton, an energetic effort from Peter Clarke, and some nice touches from returning sub Aonghus Clarke, very few losing players came even close to producing their best form.

Afterwards, Joe Fortune was understandably keen to focus on the many encouraging parts of the five-game campaign ahead of another quintet – at a minimum – of outings in the Joe McDonagh Cup. If that is become a sextet, a string of consistent displays will be required in April and May, allied to an improvement in discipline – Aaron Craig can have no complaints about his latest red card just past the half-hour mark.

Points from Brian Hayes (after 25 seconds) and Donal Burke (a free just a minute later) were cancelled out by a David Williams free and a team score finished by Killian Doyle in the sixth minute. Mark Grogan nudged the Dubs ahead before tenacious Lake County defending prevented two certain goals. Firstly, a brave goal line save by Kevin Regan from Paul Crummey in the tenth minute. Secondly, a great stop by Noel Conaty from Diarmaid Ó Dulaing some four minutes later. Crummey soon pointed, but two Williams’ frees – the first a monster effort with the aid of a slight wind – saw the teams on level terms after 21 minutes (0-4 each).

Three unanswered points by Micheál Donoghue’s charges ensued via Burke (a free), Sutcliffe and Crummey. The sides then equally traded four points – Shane McGovern and Doyle (a classy score) for the losers, and two from Burke (the second of them from a free) for the home team. Craig was red-carded for a high challenge on Burke in the 33rd minute, thereby making Westmeath’s already-difficult task gigantic. The shooting at both ends continued to be very disappointing, but the team in sky blue and navy still managed to tag on two more points before the break courtesy of new free-taker Cian O’Sullivan and Donal Leavy (with the last puck of the half). Dublin led by 0-11 to 0-6 at the interval.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the midlanders started the second half quite brightly, edging their opponents by three points (half-time subs Aonghus Clarke and Davy Glennon, as well as Tommy Doyle – operating in a more forward role than usual) to two (Sutcliffe and an O’Sullivan free) by the 47th minute. However, Dublin went on to outscore the visitors by 1-7 to 0-1 (a Williams free) by the hour mark to all but seal the two league points on offer. Sub Fergal Whitely cut in goalward and duly pounced for the game’s first goal in the 53rd minute, while the points were shared between Crummey, Sutcliffe, Hayes, James Madden (two), O’Sullivan (a ‘65’), and Grogan. Dublin now led by 1-20 to 0-10.

To their credit, Westmeath plugged away and they scored five of the next seven points, courtesy of the hard-working Peter Clarke (two from play) and Williams (three frees). Dublin’s two came from the hurls of O’Sullivan and Madden. However, the metropolitans copper-fastened their superiority with a last-gasp goal from O’Sullivan, when teed up by Whitely.

There will be no demand from fans of either side for commemorative DVDs of this largely-ragged match.

Scorers - Dublin: C O'Sullivan 1-4 (2f, 1'65'), J Madden, D Sutcliffe, P Crummey, D Burke (2f) 0-3 each, F Whiteley 1-0, B Hayes, M Grogan 0-2 each, D Leavy, J Malone 0-1 each.

Westmeath: D Williams 0-7 (7f), P Clarke, K Doyle 0-2 each, D Glennon, A Clarke, T Doyle, S McGovern 0-1 each.

Dublin: Seán Brennan; James Madden, Paddy Smyth, John Bellew; Chris Crummey, Conor Donohoe, Donal Leavy; Mark Grogan, Brian Hayes; Danny Sutcliffe, Donal Burke, Jake Malone; Diarmuid Ó Dúlaing, Cian O’Sullivan, Paul Crummey. Subs used: Fergal Whitely for Burke (blood, 33), Ronan Hayes for Ó Dúlaing (46), Darragh Power for Leavy (46), Sean Currie for Sutcliffe (58), Liam Murphy for P Crummey (65), Seán Gallagher for B Hayes (67).

Westmeath: Noel Conaty; Darragh Egerton, Johnny Bermingham, Conor Gaffney; Aaron Craig, Tommy Doyle, Kevin Regan; Peter Clarke, Shane McGovern; Killian Doyle, David Williams, David O’Reilly; Darragh Clinton, Niall Mitchell, Owen McCabe. Subs used: Davy Glennon for Clinton (h-t), Aonghus Clarke for McCabe (h-t), Eoin Keyes for Mitchell (42), Ciaran Doyle for O’Reilly (46), Adam Ennis for Bermingham (blood, 58), Shane Clavin for McGovern (63).

Ref: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).