Rushe impresses for Dubs in Cork defeat

DUBLIN 4-14 CORK 1-14

Teenager Liam Rushe delivered on his potential at Pairc Ui Chaoimh this afternoon as his two-goal first-half tally helped steer Dublin to an encouraging Allianz NHL Division 1 win.

Corner forward Rushe bulged the Cork net in the 10th and 16th minutes, having only been brought into the visitors' team as a late call-up.

With the ongoing refusal of the 2008 panel to play under manager Gerald McCarthy, Cork lined out with 15 league debutants on show.

In Anthony Daly's first league game in charge, the Dubs made a fast start with midfielder Alan McCrabbe pointing after just 10 seconds.

Barry Johnson landed a free to open Cork's account but John Kelly was able to burst through in the fifth minute and secure Dublin's first goal.

After a second McCrabbe point, debutant Rushe then took centre stage and blasted home for a 2-02 to 0-01 lead.

Playing into the wind, Dublin pressed on and with the Cork backs struggled to cope with the aerial threat, Rushe sniped through for his second goal after being well set-up.

Johnson and Eoin Cronin added to Cork's tally and Johnson ended the opening have with three frees to his name.

But the understrength Rebels had two players yellow carded by the break, with both Ray Ryan and Darren Crowley having to be replaced.

Rushe really could have had a hat-trick in the opening 35 minutes and Dublin, who led 3-04 to 0-07 at half-time, missed out on their fourth goal early in the second period.

Dublin goalkeeper Alan Nolan had his penalty effort saved by his Cork counterpart Alan Kennedy and Cork grew in stature when Johnson fired a 45th minute penalty to the net, after a foul on Aidan Ryan.

Nonetheless, Daly's men wrapped up the two points on offer, eight minutes from the finish, when a lengthy sideline delivery from McCrabbe found its home in the Cork net.