Dublin 2-17
Westmeath 1-14
Fintan O’Toole reports from Parnell Park
WESTMEATH MAY HAVE shocked Kilkenny last month but they could not claim another scalp in the Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 hurling championship tonight as Dublin prevailed on home soil in this semi-final clash.
A brilliant display by skilful attacker Chris Bennett inspired Dublin to victory with the Faughs club man striking 2-6. His pair of goals in the second-half in the 38th and the 48th minutes were crucial scores.
Both were superbly struck by Bennett and the timing of the second goal was particularly crucial in killing off the challenge of a brave Westmeath side.
At that juncture, Westmeath only trailed by 1-13 to 1-11 but the concession of that second goal to Bennett saw their opponents move out of sight.
Bennett’s attacking play was key in propelling Dublin into the decider on 6 July against Offaly or Carlow but Cian Boland and Andrew Jamieson-Murphy also made important contributions in hitting 0-3 apiece.
Senior panellist Boland did not start but was introduced off the bench in the 18th minute and made a fine impact. Joe Fortune’s Dublin team had already been without senior defender Shane Barrett due to injury.
Dublin were in front 0-10 to 1-6 at the interval, which was principally due to their strong finish to the half as they hit 0-5 without reply.
Before that Westmeath, buoyed by a vociferous travelling support, had staked their claim as they fashioned a 0-4 to 0-2 lead after 10 minutes. Then in the 13th minute, full-forward Ciaran Doyle booted a long ball to the net for Westmeath and they were in front by five points.
Inspired by Doyle’s accuracy from placed balls and some strong defensive play by Liam Varley, Westmeath kept in the hunt in the second-half. The teams were level in the early stages after half-time before Bennett smashed home his first goal for Dublin.
Even then Westmeath kept in touch with a Doyle free in the 47th minute leaving them trailing by two points.
However Bennett banged home his second goal which essentially settled the game as a contest. Offaly take on Carlow on 23 June with Dublin having the chance to claim glory then on 6 July.
Scorers for Dublin: Chris Bennett 2-6 (0-4f), Cian Boland, Andrew Jamieson Murphy 0-3 each, Séan Ó Riain 0-2, Paul O’Dea, Séan Treacy (0-1f), Colm Ó Néill 0-1 each.
Scorers for Westmeath: Ciaran Doyle 1-7 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Darragh Clinton 0-3 (0-2f), Niall Mitchell 0-2 (0-1 sideline), Warren Casserly, Jack Galvin 0-1 each.
Dublin
1. Jonathan Treacy (Na Fianna)
2. Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille)
3. James Madden (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)
18. Cian Hendricken (Naomh Mearnóg)
9. John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields)
6. Cian MacGabhann (Kilmacud Crokes)
7. Paul O’Dea (Na Fianna)
4. Mark McCallion (Kilmacud Crokes)
8. Jake Malone (Cuala)
10. Eoghan McHugh (Na Fianna)
13. Andrew-Jamieson Murphy (Na Fianna)
15. Séan Treacy (Cuala)
17. Colm Ó Néill (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)
12. Séan Ó Riain (Na Fianna)
11. Chris Bennett (Faughs)
Subs
14. Cian Boland (St Oliver Plunkett’s-Eoghan Ruadh) for McHugh (half-time)
19. Rian McBride (St Vincent’s) for McCallion (38)
20. Fionn Ó Riain Broin (St Judes) for O’Dea (40)
21. Seán Gray (Whitehall Colmcille) for Murphy (45)
24. Brian Bolger (St Vincent’s) for Bellew (55)
Westmeath
1. Sean Maher (Castletown Geoghegan)
2. Alan Cox (Devlin)
3. Conor Shaw (Brownstown)
4. Mick Heeney (Castletown Geoghegan)
5. Joe Rabbitte (Castlepollard)
6. Liam Varley (Castletown Geoghegan)
7. Robbie Gillen (Cullion)
8. Warren Casserly (Castlepollard)
9. Killian Doyle (Raharney)
12. Darragh Egerton (Clonkill)
11. Liam Cassidy (Castletown Geoghegan)
10. Niall Mitchell (Clonkill)
13. Jack Galvin (Cullion)
14. Ciaran Doyle (Raharney)
15. Darragh Clinton (Delvin)
Subs
19. Peadar Scally (Clonkill) for Cassidy (half-time)
22. Darren Giles (Raharney) for Cox (41)
Referee: Barry Redmond (Wexford)
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