Back-to-back Leinster titles for Dublin U-21s
Dublin 1-12 Westmeath 0-9, Parnell Park
Dublin claimed back-to-back Cadbury's Leinster Under-21 Football titles as they withstood Westmeath's gutsy second half display to emerge as 1-12 to 0-9 winners at Parnell Park.
Just one point separated the sides as the game entered the final quarter, but Dublin hit 1-2 without reply, including a Ciaran Dorney goal, to retain the provincial crown.
Dean Rock kicked four points for the Metropolitans in the opening half as they held a comfortable 0-9 to 0-3 lead at half-time.
Dublin were certainly impressive in the opening half-hour, but with Westmeath having the aid of a strong wind on the restart, Brendan Hackett's charges were expected to make a comeback.
And the midlanders failed to disappoint with Paul Sharry and Conor Lynam both pointing on the restart to cut the deficit to the minimum.
Dublin only managed one point in the third quarter, but Westmeath failed to build on the momentum gained at the start of the second half as the hosts regained control.
Half-forward Dorney knocked the ball past Westmeath goalkeeper Darren Quinn to edge his side 1-10 to 0-9 ahead.
Dublin failed to ease up in the closing stages with Rock adding a brace of points in the closing stages to confirm a six-point win.
After the game, Dublin captain Jonathan Cooper accepted the cup from Seamus Howlin of the Leinster Council.
