Westmeath hurlers were relegated to playing in the Christy Ring Cup next season after their 0-16 to 0-08 defeat by Dublin in Tullamore today.
The midland side had been hit with injuries ahead of the game and Dublin were quick out of the blocks as they raced into a 0-08 to 0-02 lead at the interval. It could have been closer had Westmeath converted some of the seven wides.
The match lacked discipline towards the end when Dublin duo John McCaffrey and Kevin Ryan and Westmeath's Enda Loughlin were all sent-off.
The win means Dublin maintain their presence in the Liam McCarthy Cup.