I wouldn't say that its a given that Dublin should win this comprehensively. Dublin have quite a few championship debutants this year in Mannian, McCaffrey, Andrews, Cooper and Daly. Westmeath have absolutely nothing to lose and that in itself is a dangerous prospect because I'd expect them to really go at Dublin from the word go. Westmeath have a very strong midfield which I believe will cause some problems because I think midfield is an area where Dublin are lacking. McAuley is a fine midfielder but I'm not convinced with Cian O'Sullivan or Denis Bastick.

If Westmeath stay in touch with Dublin until the last 10-15 minutes it will be very interesting. I expect Dublin to win by a few points but no more.

RoyalClass (Meath) - Posts: 790 - 21/05/2013 19:13:27    1388549

MourneArmy
County: Down
Posts: 1158

1388351
Brolly hit the nail on the head during the Sunday Game. Westmeath were a better footballing side than Derry in the league final, but Derry's superior fitness wore them down in the last 5 minutes. If Westmeath can't cope with Derry's fitness levels then they sure as hell won't be able to withstand Dublin's supreme fitness levels and their ability to call top class footballers from the bench .

yes but westmeath have had alot more time together to work on fitness since the league final and have a championship game under their belt where as dublin will only have two weeks collective training together since the league final due to club championsip fixtures over the last two weeks so i would not say fitness will be huge from dublin in this match.
its more a matter of when the last 20 minutes of the match the game always opens up more as both teams get tired and i would expect we have the better players to open them up then.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 21/05/2013 20:41:37    1388607

RoyalClass
County: Meath
Posts: 576

...Dublin have quite a few championship debutants this year in Mannian, McCaffrey, Andrews, Cooper and Daly...

Andrews has been playing senior for Dublin since 2008, both in the forwards and defence. Cooper and McCaffrey both played in the championship last year. Daly and Mannion are very much in the mix but certainly not guaranteed to start. I don't think the relative inexperience of these players will make a huge difference. I would actually hope and expect that Dublin would bring through 2-3 new players every year for both competion and team evolution purposes.

Kurt_Angle (Dublin) - Posts: 567 - 22/05/2013 13:49:01    1388953

I'm always wary of writing WH off as memories of a horrible day in 04 come to mind. The Dubs need to win this convincingly though if they want to be considered AI contenders. Bit worried about the Dubs 6 week layoff from action. I know that some fellas will have played club football but that's no substitute for summer inter county.

Still think Dublin will have slightly too much and will win by 3/4 points but no doubt WH will have their moments over the 70.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4749 - 22/05/2013 14:52:09    1389022

I think this game is actually a blessing in disguise for the Dubs. Westmeath represent a challenge that they have to be up for and will mean they'll have to be tuned in to get a result. Dublin will win, by about 4/5 points but it will by no means be easy.

And if Dublin do not give Westmeath their full attention they will be punished.

tribeinbrum (Galway) - Posts: 4155 - 22/05/2013 14:59:56    1389030

this will be like the galway v mayo game the dubs to win in 2nd gear

castlebar (Mayo) - Posts: 8 - 22/05/2013 15:00:47    1389034

I personally think Wmeatha are a very good team , a top 10 team perhaps with serious potential . I believe this is the best team Westmeath have had since 2004 . Defensively they are strong , Connaughton is a great goalkeeper , he provides a lot of experience in the position and is one of the teams leaders . Maguire is a very good man marker as seen in the League final , Gavin , Sharry , Duffy , Heslin , McCormack and Glennon provide the the team with a very strong spine . Dolan , Egan , Martin and Doran Harte are all fine players in their own right also .
My fear from a Dublin point of view and if I was a Westmeath fan my optimism would come from the fact that Westmeath have a very strong midfield sector , Dublin dont , if Westmeath can win enough ball at midfield and supply the forward line with good ball , Westmeath have the lads inside to get the scores in Dolan , Glennon and McCormack. Whats key for Westmeath is that Heslin plays to potential for the first time this season and shows the nation why he can be a legend of the game , he needs to start contributing more for Wmeath and be the player they need him to be . I dont think this game is the foregone conclusion that everyone else thinks it is

Murlo111 (Dublin) - Posts: 192 - 22/05/2013 15:15:39    1389052

castlebar
County: Mayo
Posts: 3

1389034
this will be like the galway v mayo game the dubs to win in 2nd gear

Westmeath are a better team than Galway.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13846 - 22/05/2013 15:23:44    1389064

If Westmeath can force Cluxton to kick long then Westmeath will win a pile of ball, whether they can make use of it or not is a different matter. Dublin by 5

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 22/05/2013 15:25:31    1389067

Westmeath will put it up to the dubs for 45/50 mins then the class will come through dubs by 6 without killing themselves.

knowtherules (UK) - Posts: 181 - 22/05/2013 15:37:23    1389081

MesAmis
County: Dublin
Posts: 5767

Westmeath are a better team than Galway.


Totally agree. And it's a complete myth that Dublin don't get tested in Leinster.

Floops (Dublin) - Posts: 1623 - 22/05/2013 15:54:14    1389096

Big game ahead folks...

Nothing easy here

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 22/05/2013 16:09:36    1389116

Dublin by 6+, no contest. Westmeath have made huge strides in recent times, and fair play to them, but the Dubs are a class apart this year.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 22/05/2013 16:30:20    1389138

Kurt_Angle
County: Dublin
Posts: 16

1388953
RoyalClass
County: Meath
Posts: 576

...Dublin have quite a few championship debutants this year in Mannian, McCaffrey, Andrews, Cooper and Daly...

Andrews has been playing senior for Dublin since 2008, both in the forwards and defence. Cooper and McCaffrey both played in the championship last year. Daly and Mannion are very much in the mix but certainly not guaranteed to start. I don't think the relative inexperience of these players will make a huge difference. I would actually hope and expect that Dublin would bring through 2-3 new players every year for both competion and team evolution purposes.

correct there but just one thing to add darren daly aint a new guy like most think hes 26 years of age and has been on the panel for the last 4 years

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 22/05/2013 17:58:59    1389272

Westmeath apparently have the best 6 forwards they have ever fielded. If Duffy and Heslin take 50% of ball available at midfield (which they will) then it will be very interesting. Paddy power is giving 6/1 on a Westmeath win and 16/1 for a draw.........the latter is definitely worth a punt :)

ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 295 - 22/05/2013 18:56:28    1389311

Dublin aren't even in Mayo's league if last Sunday is to be considered. Mayo looked like potential Champs. To do that to such a motivated bunch of Galway lads. Westmeath will test the Dubs for sure.

Sure Dublin struggled against a Tyrone team without their best players. That Dublin team will win nothing!

Mayo....team to beat. Winner of Donegal-Tyrone will be up there too. Dubs struggling to get to the TOP table !!!

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 22/05/2013 19:17:01    1389321

I hope I am wrong but just cannot see anything but an easy Dublin win, 7-9 points

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 22/05/2013 19:19:33    1389324

Dublin by 8+ IMO. They're a machine. They've forwards sitting on the bench that would get in most county's first 15.

killer_88_ (Mayo) - Posts: 2040 - 22/05/2013 19:25:38    1389331

Ger Egan , Denis Glennon , Dessie Dolan , Callum McCormack and Martin are all well able to score , the key for Westmeath is pushing up on Dublin at kickout time and not allowing Cluxton to take the quick kickouts and let Dublin start attacks from defence which they are brillaint at especially with the addition of McCaffrey , Heslin and David Duffy will also have to dominate at midfield which they are capable of doing .
Qucik , quality ball to Dolan , Glennon and McCormack is key with Egan , Martin and Heslin running off them . Wmeath will also have to be very tight at the back , its a tall order and very unlikely but wmeath and Kildare are the only teams who could perhaps take down the dubs

Murlo111 (Dublin) - Posts: 192 - 22/05/2013 19:39:45    1389341

Its more a mentality thing I think, can dub really hype themselves up for Westmeath on day one? That is the question, look no matter what a management says player's can be complacent, look at meath last year v carlow, yet after replay could come out and hockey kildare off the pitch.
If Dublin opponents were kildare, meath or even laois id say Dublin win comfortable as they would be up for those teams, but its Westmeath so not as easy, add to that Westmeath would give just as good account as any of the teams mentioned and this could be the problem, . If Dublin turn up in full mode then they will win easy if not then they may just find themselves in the back door. Its all down to attitude

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 22/05/2013 19:40:26    1389342