Daly's Dubs start 2010 with win

Dublin 3-16 Dubs Stars 1-11

A hat-trick of goals proved vital for the Dublin senior hurlers as they claimed a 3-16 to 1-11 win over the Dubs Stars representative selection at Lawless Memorial Park, Swords this afternoon.

In cold conditions, Anthony Daly's charges got their 2010 campaign off to a positive start with a deserved victory in this challenge match.

Despite a hat-trick of points each from Alan McCrabbe and Liam Rushe, the Dubs Stars trailed by 2-8 to 0-7 at half-time.

Paul Ryan slotted over the Dubs Stars' other point, but they were opposed by a Dublin side who were hungry for scores.

Ballyboden's David Curtin and Peadar Carton of O'Toole's raised green flags for Dublin in the first half, with both players registering 1-2 by the interval.

On the restart, former senior footballer Shane Ryan grabbed a point to mark his first appearance for the capital's hurlers since 2001.

Dublin continued to impress as a point from Kevin Flynn helped his side quickly open up a nine-point gap.

Kilmacud Crokes attacker Kevin O'Loughlin then notched two quick-fire points to bring the Dubs Stars back into contention.

However, that rally was short-lived as both Flynn and Curtin notched further points for Dublin to give them a 2-12 to 0-10 lead.

The impressive O'Loughlin netted a goal late on for the Stars side, but former Limerick player Maurice O'Brien completed Dublin's hat-trick with a well-taken goal that put Daly's men out of sight.

Speaking afterwards, Clare man Daly was pleased with the eagerness of the Dublin players on view.

"Fellas were going in full-blooded which was great to see," he said. "On the third of January it is hard to be motivated but no, we put it to them that it was a trial for everybody and that's what you want to get out of it really.

"Obviously there was a lot of ring-rustiness but we were pleased enough with the overall display."

DUBLIN: Alan Nolan (St Brigid’s); Ruairí Trainor (St Vincent’s), Tomás Brady (Na Fianna), Oisín Gough (Cuala); Stephen Hiney (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Ronan Fallon (St Vincent’s), Niall Corcoran (Kilmacud Crokes); Joseph Boland (Na Fianna), Simon Lambert (Ballyboden St Enda’s); David Curtin (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Shane Ryan (Nh Mearnóg), John Kelly (St Mark’s); David O’Callaghan (St Mark’s), David Treacy (Cuala), Peadar Carton (O’Toole’s).

Subs: Finn McGarry (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Maurice O’Brien (Faughs), Ger O’Meara (O’Toole’s), Kevin Flynn (O’Toole’s), Tim Sweeney (Ballyboden St Enda’s), David Byrne (Nh Mearnóg), Aodhán McEnerney (St Brigid’s), Mick May (Lucan Sarsfields), Barry O’Rorke (Kilmacud Crokes), Niall McMorrow (Ballyboden St Enda’s).

EVENING HERALD/DUBLIN BUS DUBS STARS: Gary Maguire (Ballyboden St Enda’s); James Duffy (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Stephen Perkins (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Philip Brennan (O’Toole’s); Malachy Travers (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Derek O’Reilly (Craobh Chiaráin), Darragh Spain (Ballyboden St Enda’s); Shane Durkin (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Alan McCrabbe (Craobh Chiaráin); Dave Sweeney (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Liam Rushe (St Patrick’s, Palmerstown), Andrew Morris (O’Toole’s); Kevin O’Loughlin (Kilmacud Crokes), Paul Ryan (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Kevin Warren (Craobh Chiaráin).

Subs: Brendan McLoughlin (O’Toole’s), Colm Hennebry (Crumlin), Michael Carton (O’Toole’s), Darren Kelly (Craobh Chiaráin), Seán O’Sullivan (St Brigid’s), John McCaffrey (Lucan Sarsfields), Peter Kelly (Lucan Sarsfields).