Daly's Dublin hurlers off to a winning start

DUBS STARS SENIOR HURLING CHALLENGE MATCH: DUBLIN 1-18 DUBS STARS 3-11

A new era in Dublin hurling got off to an encouraging start today for new senior manager Anthony Daly as his charges held out for a narrow victory in the annual Dubs Stars challenge match at Kilbarrack.

David 'Dotsy' O'Callaghan was in outstanding form for the Dubs Stars side, netting a hat-trick of goals, but despite the efforts of the St. Mark's clubman, Dublin took the spoils.

The final result was 1-18 to 3-11 to Dublin according to St. Vincent's referee Tony Lambe but with both the journalists present and the scoreboard operator having different score-lines, confusion reigned at the full-time whistle.

However, there was no doubting the brilliant displays offered up by both sides. Treated to some excellent fare, the spectators present thoroughly enjoyed this festive fixture.

It was a game which offered Clare native Daly many positives to reflect on. Although he leaked three goals, the performance of Alan Nolan between the posts was a memorable one.

Some of Daly's younger troops such as Liam Rushe in the full-forward line and Tim Sweeney at centre-back certainly looked the part.

Rushe, who powered the Dublin minor attack during 2008, was a thorn in the Dubs Stars' side right from the off and helped to settle Daly's charges with the opening two points.

That brace of scores proved to be the difference at half-time. Dublin led by 0-08 to 0-06 as the sides entered the dressing rooms for some much-needed warmth.

Conditions at the north Dublin venue were arctic-like, but in the second half the game blazed into life as Dublin fired over scores from all angles.

The Dubs Stars were on the back foot 11 minutes into the second half, when Dublin opened up a 10-point gap.

Peadar Carton's 34th-minute goal, along with points from Kevin O'Reilly, Damien Russell, Stuart Mullen and Rushe, helped steer Dublin into a 1-13 to 0-06 lead.

Goals in the 43rd and 57th minutes from O'Callaghan saw the Dubs Stars on course for a determined comeback.

O'Callaghan's hat-trick was quickly completed with a rocket of a shot bringing his personal tally to 3-01.

A last-gasp point from Paul Ryan looked to be an equalising score but according to the referee's notebook, the Dubs Stars still trailed by a point.

O'Callaghan was gifted a chance to level the game in injury-time but he fluffed his opportunity as Daly's men hung on for their maiden win.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; P Brennan, K Ryan, O Gough; S Hiney, T Sweeney, Rory O'Carroll; J Boland, S Mullen (0-03, 0-01f); K O'Reilly (0-02, 0-01f), D O'Dwyer, D Treacy (0-01); P Carton (1-02), D Russell (0-02), L Rushe (0-04).

Subs used: T Brady for Ryan, L Ryan (0-01) for O'Dwyer (both 31 mins), E McCabe for Carton, P Garbutt (0-01) for O'Reilly, K Elliott (0-01) for Boland (all 38).

DUBS STARS: F McGarry; R Trainor, D Spain, D O Maoileidigh; D O'Reilly, N Corcoran, P Kenny; S Durkin (0-01), S Martin (0-01); Ross O'Carroll (0-02), T Sommers (0-03, 0-03f), D Whelan; P Ryan (0-02), D O'Callaghan (3-01, 1-01f), S Stapleton.

Subs used: A Roche (0-01) for Whelan (31 mins), C Billings for Stapleton (46).

Referee: Tony Lambe (St. Vincent's)