Dublin 0-10 Westmeath 1-12: Westmeath beat experimental Dubs in O'Byrne Cup final

Westmeath beat a Dublin team shy of big names in the O'Byrne Cup final at Parnell Park, 1-12 to 0-10.

With the experimental rules to learn their fate on Saturday, it was one last audition for the five laws before it's decided whether their trial will be extended for the National League.

Counting hand passes was an added burden throughout the early stages, and when a Dublin side-line was kicked 30 yards backwards, the perpetrator was momentarily bemused as to why he was blown up.

It took until the 18th minute for Dublin to register a score in the game, but they were not punished as Westmeath hit three wides and a solitary point in that period.

Moments after Seán Bugler's opener for the Dubs, Aaron Byrne stole forward to kick them into the lead. As the sides settled, wayward shooting by both sets of forwards kept the scoreboard relatively static, but it was Westmeath who went in at half-time with a deserved 0-05 to 0-04 lead.

It could have been more, were it not for a strong save by Sky Blues keeper Andy Bunyan on a fierce Noel Mulligan shot late in the half.

Two points from Ger Lane and a well-taken score from Ronan O'Toole sent Jack Cooney's side into a four-point lead early in the second half.

Lane and Tommy McDaniel continued to cause issues for the home side's defence, and when the former smashed in the game's opening goal with 12 minutes left on the clock to open a 1-11 to 0-06 lead, the visitors looked to be cruising.

Westmeath efficiently managed the closing stages to see out the result to claim the first bit of silverware on offer for 2019. They now prepare for next weekend's National League opener away to Offaly.

Meanwhile, the All-Ireland champs will welcome back their big guns for their trip to Clones next Sunday.

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Referee: David Hickey (Carlow)

Scorers for Westmeath: Ger Egan 1-5 (0-1 free), Tommy McDaniel 0-3, Ronan O'Toole 0-2, Ger Leech 0-1, Kieran Martin 0-1.

Scorers for Dublin: Aaron Byrne 0-3, Seán Bugler 0-3, Conor McHugh 0-3 (0-2 frees), Stephen Smith 0-1 (0-1 free).

Dublin:

1. Andy Bunyan

2. Nathan Doran

3. Seán McMahon

4. Ciarán Smith

24. Andrew McGowan

6. Conor Mullally

7. Robert McDaid

9. Cormac Howley

22. Jack Hazley

10. Ryan Masquel

11. Aaron Byrne

12. Seán Bugler

14. Callum Pearson

13. Stephen Smith

15. Oisín Lynch

Subs:

17. Colm Basquel for Oisín Lynch (half-time)

23. Tom Lahiff for Jack Hazley (half-time)

25. Conor McHugh for Callum Pearson (half-time)

18. Shane Boland for Ryan Basquel (50th minute)

26. Declan Monaghan for Andrew McGowan (55th minute)

19. Cormac Diamond for Stephen Smith (59th minute)

21. Lorcan Galvin for Cormac Howley (65th minute)

20. Liam Flatman for Nathan Doran (65th minute)

22. Jack Hazley for Aaron Byrne (36th minute)

Westmeath:

1. Eoin Carberry

3. Ronan Wallace

2. Killian Daly

4. Boidu Sayeh

6. James Dolan

9. Noel Mulligan

7. David Lynch

8. Sean Flanagan

15. Sam Duncan

10. Ger Egan

11. Callum McCormack

5. Noel O'Reilly

12. Joe Halligan

14. Kieran Martin

13. Ronan O'Toole

Subs:

18. Tommy McDaniel for Callum McCormack (10th minute)

21. Ger Leech for Joe Halligan (51st minute)

17. Conor Slevin for Sean Flanagan (59th minute)

20. James Maxwell for Tommy McDaniel (70th minute)

24. Ned Cully for Ronan O'Toole (73rd minute)