Déise hurlers finish stronger to seal the deal

Sun, 5th March 2017

DUBLIN 1-17 WATERFORD 2-19

A dominant last quarter by Waterford saw Derek McGrath's men overcome the Dubs have five points in Saturday's NHL Division 1A meeting in Croke Park.

There was only a point between the sides with little over 20 minutes remaining with the Déise in front but they outscored the Dubs over the conclusion of the contest.

Despite the concession of an unlucky sixth minute goal Dublin battled back well and by the break were two points to the good, 1-10 to 1-8.

Stephen Bennett hit the first of his two goals early on after a Pauric Mahony free had come back off an upright and dropped invitingly for Bennett who swept the ball to the net.

However, Dublin enjoyed some very good spells in the opening half with Eamonn Dillon tallying four first half points from play. Ryan O'Dwyer was causing problems in the air for the visitors and Donal Burke's 20th minute goal had Ger Cunningham's men five points clear.

It could have been more.

Dublin led 1-10 to 1-8 at the break but their chances suffered a major self-inflicted blow two minutes into the second half when keeper Conor Dooley unsuccessfully attempted the lift sliotar and Stephen Bennett didn't need to be asked as he fired the ball low to an unguarded net from inside 20 metres.

The Dubs continued to battle hard with Eoghan O'Donnell once again leading by example but despite Waterford being reduced to 14 men when Stephen Daniels (second yellow) the visitors were not to be denied as the concluded the game on an upward curve to seal the points.

SCORERS - Waterford: P Mahony 0-12 (0-10f); Stephen Bennett 2-2; K Moran, A Gleeson 0-2 each, M Shanahan 0-1. Dublin: D Burke 1-7 (0-7f); E Dillon 0-4; R O'Dwyer, R McBride 0-2 each; C Crummey, N McMorrow 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: I O'Regan; N Connors, B Coughlan, S Fives; C Gleeson, T de Burca, S Daniels; J Barron, K Moran; M Walsh, Shane Bennett, P Mahony; A Gleeson, Stephen Bennett, P Curran. Subs: M Shanahan for Curran (49); M Kearney for Barron (50); B O'Halloran for Shane Bennett (61); J Dillon for Stephen Bennett (66); D Lyons for C Gleeson (67).

DUBLIN: C Dooley; J Madden, E O'Donnell, S Barrett; B Quinn, L Rushe, C Crummey; N McMorrow, C Conway; R McBride, E Dillon, E Conroy; F Mac Gib, R O'Dwyer, D Burke. Subs: C Boland for Conway (inj 47); C MacGabhann for Madden (55); C Bennett for Conroy (61); C O'Sullivan for Quinn (69); F Broin for Barrett (72).

REF: J Ryan (Tipperary).