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DUBLIN 7-17
WESTMEATH 2-18
Dublin delivered an impressive attacking display as they overcame Westmeath by fourteen points in their Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship quarter-final at a sunnyJoristown Park, Raharney on Saturday afternoon.
The bulk of the damage was done in the second quarter with goals from Rory Flannery, Sean Culleton and Conaill O’Sullivan helping build a 3-9 to 0-6 lead by half-time.
The Dubs continued to raise green flags upon the resumption as Culleton (2), O’Sullivan and Christian Kane found the net to help ease their side into the last four.
The hosts opened the scoring through a 2nd minute free by Conor Williams and while Flannery replied at the opposite end soon after, a second Williams free edged Westmeath back in front by the 5th minute.
He doubled their lead two minutes later and the trend of placed balls dominance continued as Flannery fired over a ‘65’ in the 9th minute to leave the bare minimum between the sides.
While Williams added a fourth free, Dublin were beginning to control matters with Luke Hayes and Rory Duffy impressing in their half-back line and Flannery made the most of a blocked clearance in the 16th minute as he raced through before flicking an improvised finish to the back of the net.
The visitors were a changed team from that juncture as they played with greater confidence with points from O’Sullivan, Culleton and Richie Hession reflecting their growing control.
A brilliant run down the middle from Hayes in the 29th minute allowed Hession the time to release Culleton through on goal and the Ballyboden St Enda’s player never looked like missing as he rifled home with great assuredness.
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