Impressive forward march cheers Dublin manager Gavin
Dublin bus/The Herald DUBS STARS FOOTBALL challenge
Dublin 2-21 Dubs Stars 1-11
Daire Walsh
Jim Gavin’s Dublin began 2015 in impressive fashion at Parnell’s GAA grounds when a blistering second-half display helped them to an emphatic victory in the Annual Dubs Stars Football Match.
With St Vincent’s attacker Gavin Burke in fine form, the Dubs Stars held a slender 0-8 to 1-4 interval advantage, but with the breeze at their disposal, the Leinster champions registered 0-10 without reply during the third quarter.
After Diarmuid McLoughlin had found the net for the Dubs Stars in the 57th minute, Niall Collins added to an earlier Conor McHugh goal with a three-pointer of his own, as Dublin eased towards a comprehensive triumph.
Collins was top-scorer for Dublin on the day with an outstanding personal haul of 1-4. Conor McHugh, Davey Byrne and Shane Carthy were also prominent for the victors, while McLoughlin and Burke displayed plenty of quality in a Dubs Stars attack that was spearheaded by Sky Blues regular Kevin McManamon.
Worthwhile
It proved to be a worthwhile exercise overall for the 2013 All-Ireland champions, and with their O’Byrne Cup campaign getting under way this Sunday in Parnell Park againstNUI Maynooth, Gavin feels there were plenty of lessons to be derived from the contest.
“You do learn and there are players we have tracked in club championship, so it gives those players an opportunity to stake a place in the squad. It was challenging conditions in that wind, but 1-17 in the second half isn’t a bad return,” the Round Towers Clondalkin clubman remarked.
Having been the stand-out performer in Dublin’s successful U-21 odyssey in 2014, Na Fianna’s Conor McHugh once again showcased his undoubted ability with a 1-2 salvo. Gavin was pleased with his contribution on the day, and also reserved plenty of praise for St Pat’s Donabate star Collins.
“Conor McHugh had an impressive game in the full-forward line with Niall Collins of St Pat’s Donabate and it was great to see the form that Niall has.
“We’d know him from U-21 anyway, but he had good form this year with the club and we have kept a close eye on him. Good to see him transfer that and he got 1-4 from play, which is an impressive return from any senior game.”
While there will be much scrutiny surrounding the new additions to the panel during the upcoming league campaign, the presence of Jason Sherlock in Dublin’s extended backroom team has also gained significant attention.
As a former team-mate of Sherlock, Gavin is well aware of what he can bring to the role of forwards coach, and is hopeful that he can help the forward line to improve certain aspects of their play.
“Jason brings an awful lot of expertise and experience and I played with Jason. He has got great game intelligence and has got the respect of the squad and respect of themanagement team. Our forward line was good last year, but we need to improve it and in aspects of our game, both offensively and defensively.”
Scorers – Dublin: N Collins 1-4, C McHugh 1-2, S Carthy (2 ’45), D Byrne 0-4 each, H Dawson 0-3, B Fenton 0-2, D Daly, T Brady 0-1 each. Dubs Stars: D McLoughlin 1-4, G Burke 0-3, K McManamon (s/l), N Scully (f), C Walsh, G Smith 0-1 each.
DUBLIN – L Molloy; E Culligan, David Byrne, D Daly; E Lowndes, J Small, N Devereux; C Reddin, D Bastick; S Carthy, T Brady, Davey Byrne; C McHugh, H Dawson, N Collins. Subs: S Currie, G Hannigan, M Fitzsimons, A Waters, S Lowndes, B Fenton.
DUBS STARS – M Savage; R O’Connor, J Curley, H Gill; M Sweeney, R McGowan, M Concarr; D O’Mahony, C Dunleavy; G Burke, K McManamon N Scully; C Walsh, D McLoughlin, G Smith.
Subs: C Grimes, A Foley, C O’Gara.
REF – D Feeney (Parnell’s)