Dubs pay price for win

Former captain Ciaran Whelan is an injury doubt for Dublin's first match of their Leinster title defence in two weeks' time.

The Raheny midfielder was forced to limp out of yesterday's challenge match between Paul Caffrey's side and Derry at Na Fianna.

The exact nature of the injury is yet to be confirmed, but it has thrown former All-Star Whelan's participation in the Dubs' Leinster SFC opener on June 3 into doubt.

Caffrey's men will be facing the winners of today's Kildare-Meath clash at Croke Park.

Dublin won yesterday's challenge match by 2-8 to 0-11 thanks to a late goal from Darren Magee.

Conal Keaney landed four first half points to help the home side lead by a point at the break, but a series of missed frees from Tomas Quinn and Mark Vaughan, who scored the game's other goal, dented the Dubs' challenge.

Derry came more and more into the game in the second half, with Enda Muldoon and Mark Lynch both shooting 0-3.

Raymond Wilkinson landed the levelling point on 58 minutes but a move started deep in Dublin territory by Declan Lally led to Magee netting in injury-time.