PREVIEW: Senior Hurlers Continue Allianz League Campaign With Trip To Mullingar

Image courtesy Paul Barrett 

Dublin’s Senior Hurlers go in search of a second successive win in their Allianz League Division 1B campaign, when they travel to Westmeath this Sunday. 

The Friends of Dublin Hurling & Camogie are running a supporters bus to the game. 

Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s reign began with a 1-25 to 0-14 win over Antrim on the opening day of the league.

The reliable duo of Cian O’Sullivan and John Hetherton helped Dublin establish an early lead, before Kilmacud Crokes’ Conal Ó Riain made a dream start on his senior inter-county debut when he grabbed Dublin’s goal in the ninth minute to push out our lead to five. 

James McNaughton kept Antrim in the contest, but the first-half showing left the Ulstermen with a huge task in the second-half. O’Sullivan, Ó Riain and Dara Purcell pointed from open play and the dead ball to give Dublin an eight-point lead at the break. 

Dublin continued scoring with ease after the restart and by the hour mark, they had a 12-point lead after Cillian Hayes split the posts. McNaughton continued chipping in with scores for Antrim but Dublin never looked likely to lose their grip on the game. 

Further points from Chris Crummey and Conor Burke, alongside two more scores from Purcell and Ó Riain, ensured Dublin started the league in style. 

Westmeath began their Allianz League campaign last weekend, after their opening game against Laois was postponed due to an unplayable pitch. 

They were slow to get going in Belfast, with the first score of the game coming in the form of a 10th-minute David Williams free. 

McNaughton, who stood out for Antrim against Dublin, racked up a massive 1-14 for himself. Darragh Clinton and Mark Cunningham scored last in the first set of 35 minutes, but McNaughton made sure the difference between the two teams at half-time was five.

Clinton would get Westmeath going in the second-half but Antrim would soon find the net thanks to McNaughton. Williams was clinical on frees; points from Robbie Greville and another Clinton score weren't enough to put the squeeze on Antrim. With five minutes on the clock, they still trailed by seven but were unable to break the host's line and grab a goal.

The Saffrons would put the game beyond Westmeath’s reach with further points and a Nigel Elliot goal, meaning Westmeath goalkeeper Jack Gillen’s three-pointer was just a consolation as they lost 2-25 to 1-19. 

Cian O’Sullivan top-scored for the Boys in Blue with 0-13 in our first league match of 2025 and he and Ó Riain will look to continue their good start to 2025 this weekend. 

David Lucey, Paddy Dunleavy, and Iain O hEithir also made their debuts at the end of last month and the trio of defenders helped Dublin restrict Antrim to just 14 points and will hope to frustrate the Westmeath attack this weekend.

Williams will be key to the Westmeath attack and will be looking to build on his 0-12 he scored against Antrim, while Cunningham, Peter Clarke and Eoin Keyes are three players who can score from attack, midfield and defence as the Lake County look to pick up their first points of the league. 

Dublin v Westmeath Allianz Hurling League 2024 result:

16th March 2024, Parnell Park, Dublin - Dublin 2-22 (28) - 0-15 (15) Westmeath

You can buy tickets for this weekend’s game here.