DUBLIN emerged as resounding winners of this encounter at Parnell Park on Saturday night despite a high incidence of wides.

Already assured of a spot in the top flight next season while also through to the quarter finals in July, the game was rendered into insignificance but nonetheless it confirmed their position at the top of Division Two in this the final game of the campaign.

Clearly Westmeath had not learned the lessons of the previous clash when Dublin knocked 5-15 past them in the preliminary round of the Leinster Championships.

And while the Metropolitans tended to drift in and out of the game at times, for the most part they were given free licence to wander about and pick off scores.

The most pleasing thing however must have been the performance of the full back division who confined Westmeath to just seven scores over the duration of the 70 minutes. The job of keeping the spectators happy however proved that little bit tougher although there were rare flashes of brilliance from corner forward, Eamon Morrisey.

Undoubtedly much will be expected of the All Ireland medalist when he lines out against his native Kilkenny in the Leinster Championships in a fortnight's time.

The game itself saw Dublin comfortably ahead by nine points to two at the break with contributions from the aforementioned Morrissey and Jamsie Brennan.

And while Westmeath could only muster the odd score including a late goal from half forward, Pat Clarke, Dublin continued to apply the pressure in the second half with Ger Ennis, Brian Mc Mahon and Shane Dalton to name but three all adding to Westmeath's woes.