Two second-half goals proved the difference as Dublin saw off Westmeath at Parnell Park last night to advance to a Leinster under-21 semi-final with Kilkenny next Wednesday.
Despite shooting 10 wides in the first half, Dublin led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.
Dublin's first goal arrived three minutes after restart when Cian Daly, their accurate free-taker, connected with a long David Henry ball to finish to the net.
Corner forward David Donnelly put the issue beyond doubt with Dublin's second goal five minutes from time, kicking the sliotar home after his initial effort had been saved.
Dublin: E Curley; K Ryan, M Breathnach, C McCaffrey; R Potts, A de Paor, J Cullen; R Brennan (0-1), S Martin; C Daly (1-4, four frees), D Henry (0-2), D Russell (0-1); D Donnelly (1-0), M Thompson, F Armstrong. Subs: E Dunne (0-1) for Martin (35 mins), R Redmond for Daly (44 mins), J Lawlor for Thompson (55 mins), D Curtin for Russell (60 mins).
Westmeath: B Conaty; D Barry, B Murtagh, S Murtagh; D Curley, G Gavin, V Bateman; A Mitchell (0-4, two frees and one 65), S McDonnell; G Jackson, G Geoghegan (0-2), J Shaw; A Farrell, J McGuinness (0-1), K Brazil. Subs: K Gavigan (0- 1) for Jackson (half-time), T Gavin for Shaw (49 mins), B O'Shaughnessy for McGuinness (55 mins), N WIlliams for Farrell (60 mins).
Referee: T Delaney (Laois).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)