NOBODY suggested that it was going to be easy, and the Westmeath hurlers were under no illusions about their task in yesterday's Leinster hurling championship match against high flying Dublin in Mullingar.
The home team certainly did themselves proud in the first 20 minutes as they limited Dublin's opportunities severely but the torrential rain which swept down at that stage didn't do them any favours.
Dublin's greater fitness and the lessons they have learned from meeting topclass opposition in recent times prevailed as Westmeath's challenge disintegrated.
Westmeath deserve the highest credit for their determined effort. That they found it difficult to sustain their effort was not a surprise, but what happened clearly illustrated that Dublin's advance in hurling has been won with a new and expansive approach which should, eventually, reap deserved rewards.
Certainly, the emergence of Ger Ennis of the Craobh Ciarain club as a player of exceptional talent will be welcomed by all hurling followers.
Yesterday he overshadowed more distinguished experts such as Jamesie Brennan and Eamon Morrissey, although both contributed significantly to the Dublin effort and may pose questions for their native county, Kilkenny, when the sides meet in the next round.
On this performance, Dublin will demand, and presumably will get, the respect they deserve.
Watching the second half of this match it was clear that the Dublin team has devoted a great deal of time and effort to one of the most crucial aspects of hurling the first touch.
They were much more adept at this facet of the game than their opponents and this became more obvious as the rain brought about a more difficult environment.
The Dublin side, notably Paddy Brady at centre half back, midfielders Brennan and Barry O'Sullivan, and all of the forwards, outplayed their Westmeath counterparts, particularly in the later stages when fitness and natural flair become more important as the conditions deteriorated.
It was certainly a brave effort by Westmeath in the early stages of the game when they matched Dublin stroke for stroke. Had their shooting been that little bit better they might even have put serious doubts in Dublin minds. But four wides from good positions within the first 10 minutes were luxuries which no team can ever afford in championship fare.
It came as no surprise when it was Morrissey who emphasised the gap in standards between the sides when he swept down the right wing and then ducked inside to drive the ball to the net to give Dublin a 1-3 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Almost immediately, the rain, which had fallen intermittently through the morning, began to pour down - and Brennan began to show his class to tear holes in the Westmeath defence.
It was then that Ennis responded to the promptings of his colleagues, and goals on either side of the halftime break broke whatever resistance Westmeath had left. Brennan was now in his element and three points in as many minutes stretched the Dublin lead to 3-12 to 1-5 with 20 minutes to go.
When Ennis took further advantage of a tiring Westmeath defence to complete his hat trick after 55 minutes Westmeath were in disarray.
Brian McMahon scored Dublin's fifth goal to make the score 5-13 to 1-6 - a lead of 19 points - and the rout was almost complete. All that remained was for Westmeath substitute Pat Clarke to slip in behind a slumbering Dublin defence to give a final show of spirited defiance with a goal.
