Dublin 2-18
Dubs Stars 2-15
Kevin O’Brien reports from Páirc Naomh Uinsionn, Marino
AARON BYRNE BAGGED 2-1 as Dublin survived a late rally to defeat the Dubs Stars in their annual challenge game this afternoon.
The Na Fianna prospect, who was named U21 Player of the Year after Dublin’s All-Ireland winning campaign earlier this year, scored two goals in the space of six minutes midway through the opening-half.
It was an impressive showing by Byrne, who will be hoping to emulate Niall Scully and use the early season games to impress Dublin boss Jim Gavin. Killian O’Gara, who gave the pass for both goals, Colm Basquel, scorer of 0-5, and Shane Carthy also impressed for Dublin.
Gavin was an interested spectator at the game, which took place at the home of St Vincent’s, but it was 2017 O’Byrne Cup-winning manager Paul Clarke who took charge of Dublin. Clarke will retain the role for the upcoming O’Byrne Cup, following his success in the competition last January.
Jason Whelan bagged 1-2 for the Dubs Stars, who started with six players from county champions St Vincent’s – Michael Savage, Craig Wilson, Jarlath Curley, Ger Brennan, Nathan Mullins, and Tomas Quinn.
Dublin led by 2-8 to 0-8 at the interval with Basquel and Byrne impressive in attack. 14 minutes into the second-half they had 2-16 on the board as their superior fitness levels began to tell all over the field.
Dublin were 2-18 to 1-9 ahead on 51 minutes, but their more experienced opponents hit an unanswered 1-7 down the stretch with Kilmacud veteran Pat Burke and Ballymun Kickhams forward Whelan finding the net.
Dublin ran their bench an introduced a number of youngsters late on and lost the fluency in their game. Dubs Stars substitute Mal Tighe saw a late shot on goal bounce off the post and time eventually ran out on their comeback.
Scorers for Dublin: Aaron Byrne 2-1, Colm Basquel 0-5 (0-1f), Shane Carthy (0-1f), Aaron Elliot and Colin Doyle 0-2 each, Emmett O Conghaile, Gerry Seaver, Killian O’Gara, Adam Rogers, Ryan Deegan and Glen O’Reilly 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dubs Stars: Jason Whelan and Pat Burke 1-2 each, Tomas Quinn 0-4 (0-4f), Niall Coakley 0-3, Oisin Kelly, Mal Tighe and Fearghal Duffy 0-1 each.
Dublin
1. Andy Bunyan
11. Ross McGowan
12. Sean McMahon
9. Graham Hannigan
7. David Devereux
21. Gerry Seaver
4. Kevin Callaghan
14. Emmet O Conghaile
8. Colin Doyle
5. Shane Carthy
2. Colm Basquel
4. Kevin Callaghan
18. Adam Rogers
17. Killian O’Gara
3. Aaron Byrne
Subs
16. David Downey for Bunyan (ht)
22. Ryan Deegan for Callaghan (ht)
20. Chris Sallier for Devereux (35)
15. Glen O’Reilly for O’Gara (45)
13. Eoin O’Brien for Hannigan (50)
Dubs Stars
1. Michael Savage
2. Craig Wilson
22. Chris Carthy
3. Jarlath Curley
5. Carl Keeley
6. Ger Brennan
7. Oisin Kelly
19. Richie Downey
9. Nathan Mullins
10. Mark Sweeney
11. Jason Whelan
12. Kieran Doherty
13. Pat Burke
14. Niall Coakley
15. Tomas Quinn
Subs
20. Fearghal Duffy for Doherty (ht)
4. David McGuinness for Brennan (ht)
Referee: David O’Connor (Fingal Ravens)
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