U20 footballers make it two wins from two starts

Mon, 4th June 2018

DUBLIN 2-16 WESTMEATH 1-13

Dublin under-20 footballers made it two wins from two starts when defeated Westmeath by six-points in Monday’s Leinster U20FC Group 1 clash at Parnell Park.

The Dubs started well with points from Tom Keane, Cormac Howley, Seán Bugler and the influential James Doran to lead 0-4 to 0-0 but were rocked by a 14^th minute breakaway goal which was clinically executed for Seán Pettit to finish to the net.

By the 20^th minute the midlanders were 1-3 to 0-5 in front but Dublin finished the half on top to lead 1-8 to 1-5 at the interval.

Dublin’s goal was something special with James Madden carrying the ball over 80 metres before sliding the ball low to the net past Jordan Nugent in the 25^th minute.

James Doran also kicked three points to give the Dubs a strong half-time position having played with the wind.

Immediately on the restart wing-back Seán Farrelly got up the field to split the posts and points from Dan O’Brien (two) and Bugler pushed their side 1-12 to 1-5 clear.

In the 41^st minute Howley elected to go for a point with the goal at his mercy, again following unselfish play by Doran.

Dublin’s second goal in the 47^th minute when Bugler and Doran combined to effectively seal the deal as the home side moved 2-14 t o1-8 clear.

But Dublin will not be fully happy with their conclusion to the game as Westmeath enjoyed plenty of possession and scoring opportunities.

Before the finish Dublin goalkeeper David O’Hanlon made a great save to deny John Tumulty.

Dublin face Wexford away in their concluding Group 1 game on Saturday, June 16 (2.0).

SCORERS– Dublin: S Bugler 1-4, J Doran 0-4 (0-1f), J Madden 1-0, T Keane (0-1f), C Howley, D O’Brien 0-2 each, S Farrelly, C Archer (0-1f) 0-1 each. Westmeath: S Pettit 1-6 (0-3 ‘45’, 0-1f), T Molloy, J Tumulty (0-2f) 0-2 each, A Loughlin, G Carr, D Reid 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: D O’Hanlon; C Smith, N Doran, N Nolan; 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 (44), M Mullin for Nolan (47), R Shaw for O’Dea (52), K Lynch Bissett for Madden (55), R McGarry for Howley (57).

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

REF: B Cawley (Kildare).