Dublin stumbled awkwardly into the O'Byrne Cup final when they beat a spirited Westmeath team which deserved a better result at Parnell Park on Saturday.
Westmeath, under manager Brendan Lowry, again showed that they are far from the perennial pushovers we had come to know. Lowry said: "We didn't deserve to lose."
Dublin manager Tommy Carr's comment was equally valid: "They (Westmeath) are as good as what's around . . . a draw would have been a fair result."
A fairly comfortable Dublin win seemed likely until the 23rd minute of the first half when Ger Heavin smashed home a great goal. A sudden lapse in concentration enabled Dessie Dolan to spot Heavin lurking unmarked inside the Dublin cover and the most experienced member of the team picked his spot too well for goalkeeper David Byrne.
The score may have been against the run of play but it boosted Westmeath's confidence and Aidan Canning's introduction to their half back line brought about further improvement. Heavin's goal narrowed the gap to two points. Canning, with his first kick, then tacked on a point to reduce the deficit to the minimum. From that moment on, the 2,000 crowd were treated to a close and unpredictable struggle.
In fact, the best chance to clinch it fell to Westmeath full forward Martin Flanagan who somehow could not slip the ball past Byrne after David Shaughnessy had set him up with a superb through-ball.
There was but a point between the sides at half-time 0-10 to 1-6.
The Dublin midfield of Enda Sheehy and Karl Donnelly and second-half substitute Brian Stynes laboured under pressure from Rory O'Connell and O'Shaughnessy. No doubt Dublin would have liked to have seen the back of the dominant O'Connell earlier then the 59th minute when the skilful and industrious Westmeath man was sent to the line for a second bookable offence.
O'Connell was always available to take the pass out of defence and set up promising attacks. But his work was too often frustrated by aimless foot passes and at times over-elaboration up front. Paul Conway and Shane Colleary foraged bravely, if a little too deeply in their own half.
The unexpected ineptitude of Dublin's central attackers, Declan Darcy and Dessie Farrell, who interchanged without ever reaching their best form, added to the team's problems.
On the plus side for Dublin, Tom Lynch demonstrated drive at left corner back, Paul Curran also played inspiring stuff at centre back and Jim Gavin displayed strength and purpose on the right flank of attack. His huge left-footed point from a free close to the sideline which edged Dublin ahead (0-12 to 1-8) with nine minutes remaining was a classic.
Dublin's Roscommon find Niall O'Donoghue may be on the small side but he has speed to burn. When he gets to play alongside Jason Sherlock, Dublin's penetrative qualities up front could benefit.
Even before Flanagan's missed opportunity for the clincher, Shane Colleary saw his shot turned away by a despairing hand for a 45 which Dolan pointed for the last score.
Lowry was happy with the team's performance if not with the result. With a little more belief in themselves Westmeath could be capable of going places this year.
Dublin: D Byrne; L Walsh, D Homan, T Lynch; P Croft, P Curran (0-1), K Galvin; E Sheehy (0-1), K Donnelly; J Gavin (0-3, two frees), D Darcy (0-3, two frees), C Moran (0- 2); N O'Donoghue (0-1), D Farrell (0-1), S Connell. Subs: B Stynes (0-1) for Donnelly (36 mins), B Irwin for Connell (54 mins).
Westmeath: D Ryan; A Lyons, D Murphy, D Brady; D Healy, K Ryan, D Mitchell; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; P Conway, T Cleary (0- 2, frees), S Colleary; G Heavin (1-2), M Flanagan, D Dolan (0-4, one 45). Subs: A Canning (0-1) for Mitchell (25 mins), L Gillivan for Cleary (50 mins), M Ennis for O'Shaughnessy (59 mins).
Referee: B Doheny (Louth).
