As if another reminder was needed, Sunday’s Leinster final loss to Westmeath was an example of just how far Dublin have fallen over the last couple of seasons.

The Dubs were throughly outplayed for the vast majority of the game, especially in extra-time. It was apparent that one team on the day was fitter, hungrier, and simply more talented.

It is not a scenario that many could have envisaged just a couple of seasons ago.

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Pat Spillane Highlights Dublin Fan Issue vs Westmeath

Dublin have struggled in many facets of the game this season, but their lack of firepower in attack was evident in the loss to Westmeath. They failed to score a goal in the game, while their issues with two-pointers have also been well discussed.

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Speaking on the Indo GAA Podcast, Pat Spillane gave a startling two-pointer stat to show just how poor Dublin were in that particular area during Sunday’s game.

Goals win matches. Westmeath got two, Dublin got nothing. You have the importance of two-pointers, Westmeath got three two-pointers.

You look at Dublin with two-pointers. One of their achilles heals last season was their inability to go for two-pointers. We thought in the league was a bit of a change.

When was the first time that a Dublin player had a shot at a two-pointer from play? The 79th minute. The ninth minute of extra-time…

They did score a two-pointer from play, it was in the 88th minute…

They scored one two-pointer against Louth, they scored three two-pointers against Wicklow (with the aid of a significant wind). They scored no goals in their last two matches.

It was not just the action on the pitch that was jarring from a Dublin perspective.

A crowd of just under 37,000 was in Croke Park for the game, but it seemed as though up to two-thirds of those fans hailed from Westmeath. The midlanders certainly provided the majority of the atmosphere on the day.

Crowds for Leinster finals involving Dublin have steadily declined over the last decade or so. However, this was perhaps the most worrying example of the waning interest among Dubs supporters.

Spillane would go on to hammer the fans from the capital for their poor support in this fixture.

Once upon a time Croke Park was their fortress. They have played five league and championship games there this year and have won one…

What a joke that crowd in Croke Park was. What an embarrassment for the Dubs. They rocked up with 40,000 or 50,000 to all their big games in their heyday.

It’s when you’re down or slipping, that’s when you need your supporters. Those fair weather supporters, they’re gone.

Westmeath, a small county, outnumbered them. I’d say there 20,000-plus from Westmeath, only 10,000 or 12,000 from Dublin.

It is unlikely that many Dublin supporters will be back onside as a result of this latest performance, with Westmeath looking a much superior outfit on the day.

You get the sense it could be a long way back for the Dubs in their bid to compete for another All-Ireland title.

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