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Dublin began their Championship defense on the road on Saturday evening against Westmeath. They beat Westmeath by 11pts after having a nine-point lead at half time.
What a score!🏐👌
Westmeath trail at the break, but this was the score of the half! pic.twitter.com/9DjQ02FDNl
— Sky Sports GAA (@SkySportsGAA) November 7, 2020
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68′
Wonderfull score again from Ray Connellan
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66′
Another point from Ciaran Kilkenny
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65′
Free from Dean Rock -
62′
Jack Smith with a nice score
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56′
Conor Dolan with a lovely point for Westmeath
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55′Easy free for Dean Rock
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52′
Paddy Small point
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50′
4th point for Kilkenny
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50′
Kieran Martin point
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44′
John Heslin point
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42′
James McCarthy point
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40′
Robbie McDaide puts Dublin 10pts up
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35′
Ray Connellan with the last point of the half
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35′Another easy free for Dean Rock
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32′
Ciaran Kilkenny with a nice score
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30′
Sean Bugler hits the 13th point of the evening for Dublin
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28′Dean Rock free
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28′
Con O’Callaghan point
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26′
Kieran Martin is fouled and John Heslin kicks the free
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24′
Kieran Martin with his second point from a mark
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24′
Jonny Cooper with the 10th Dublin score
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22′
Super score from Ronan O’Toole
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20′Easy free for Rock
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20′
Scully with a nice point after a shocking kick out
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16′
Paddy Small kicks Dublin 5pts up at the Waterbreak
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13′
Eoin Merchant puts Dublin 4pts up
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11′
A lovely point from play from Ciaran Kilkenny
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10′
Luke Loughlin with the second Westmeath score
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7′
John Heslin with the opening score for Westmeath
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6′Dean Rock point
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6′
Seán Bugler point
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5′
Ciaran Kilkenny doubles the lead
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4′Point for Dean Rock
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Last year, Westmeath lost to Laois at this stage before going out in round 3 of the qualifiers. However, there is no back door in this year’s competition so Jack Cooney’s side will have to do the seemingly impossible and dethrone Dublin.
Westmeath returned to action a few weeks ago with a promising win over Laois. However, they couldn’t do the same a week later against Kildare. As a result, they remain in Division 2.
Originally, this game was supposed to be a home fixture for Westmeath. But, Sky are televising the game so floodlights were required to accommodate the 6.15pm throw-in time.
Cooney was less than pleased with the decision.
“Why not bring it to Cusack Park is what I would ask. They could bring it forward a few hours and give us a right crack at it.” However, he continued to say his team will bring their best to Portlaoise regardless for a crack at the holders.
Meanwhile, Dublin are entering their first Championship of the post-Gavin era. Dessie Farrell has taken control of the helm and so far the Dubs have shown no signs of slowing down.
Two wins from two since football returned was nothing less than expected. But, they had to work for the win in both games. Teething issues are nothing unusual as a team transitions to new management. In spite of this, Dublin retain most of their five-time All-Ireland winners. Thus, their dominance in Leinster will likely continue.
Paddy Power are offering 20/1 for Westmeath to cause an upset. Dublin are a very short 1/500 and a draw is 50/1.
You can watch the game on Sky Sports Mix.
Prediction: Dublin.
Team News
Westmeath : Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, Boidu Sayeh; Jamie Gonoud, Ronan Wallace, James Dolan; Ray Connellan, Sam Duncan; David Lynch, Ronan O’Toole, Killian Daly; Luke Loughlin, John Heslin, Kieran Martin.
Dublin : Stephen Cluxton, Cian Murphy, David Byrne, Michael Fitzsimons, John Small, Jonny Cooper, Robert McDaid, Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Eric Lowndes, Ciaran Kilkenny, Niall Scully, Paddy Small, Con O’Callaghan, Dean Rock
Leinster Football Championship Quarter-Final: Westmeath vs Dublin, Saturday, November 7th, 18:15 (O’Moore Park, Portlaoise).
The Westmeath Footballers take centre stage this weekend as they take on All Ireland Champions Dublin at O'Moore Park this Saturday evening. We wish the team and managment the very best of luck!#WestmeathGaa pic.twitter.com/XLUWAQU39s
— Westmeath GAA (@westmeath_gaa) November 3, 2020
A combined 15 of Gaelic footballers with only one player per county
https://twitter.com/westmeath_gaa/status/1323600662605766662
