MARK McHugh is the toast of Westmeath today after guiding the Lake county to only their second ever Leinster title.
Westmeath got the better of favourites Dublin by 2-28 to 0-26 in Croke Park.
Westmeath were excellent and established a four-point lead well into the second half.
However, Dublin fought back and a Senan Baker point took the match to extra-time for McHugh’s charges.
The Lake county responded brilliantly and Brian Cooney’s goal put them seven points clear in the additional time.
The returning John Heslin hit a two-pointer and the Dubs didn’t have the answers when the pressure came on and Westmeath notched a second goal at the death from Jack Dunican.
Kilcar man McHugh becomes only the second ever manager after the great Paidi Ó Sé to lead Westmeath to Leinster glory.