It’s a Winters Wonderland for Dubs Stars hurlers

DUBS STARS 1-24 DUBLIN 0-21

The accuracy of Paul Winters and Alan Moore's early goal put the Dubs Stars on the road to victory in Saturday's annual Dublin Bus/Herald hurling encounter at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn.

In a highly competitive game for the time of year new Dublin manager Pat Gilroy got the opportunity to cast his eyes on several 'new' players while the Cuala contingent did not line out as they prepare for their All-Ireland club semi-final in early February.

The game was evenly balanced for the most part and Alan Moore's first half goal helped the Dubs Stars to a 1-11 to 0-13 interval lead.

St Brigid's Paul Winters tallied six points overall, five coming from play while Moore, from host club St Vincent's, added two points from play to his haul.

St Jude's Fionn O Riain Broin impressed for Dublin with five points from play and a free while Nh Barróg's Cillian Costello caused plenty of problems for the Dubs Stars' defence when scoring 0-4. 

“Both teams really went at it out there,” says Dublin hurling manager Pat Gilroy.

“They gave it their best shot. Ok, mistakes were made, but you’d expect that at this time of the year.

“Overall, the effort from the two teams was most encouraging.

“It was December 23rd, and fellas were really giving it their all. We have only had a few weeks training done.

“Most of the players are with the Dublin squad, so it was good to see it so competitive.

“We are mad keen to get going. There is only so much training that you can do. It’s all about playing games, so we are looking forward to the Walsh Cup now.”

Dublin face Meath on Wednesday, January 3 in Walsh Cup action in Abbotstown (Pitch 1, 8.0).

SCORERS - Dubs Stars: P Winters 0-6 (0-1f), A Moore 1-2, G King, C McBride 0-3 each, P O’Dea, F Whitely, A Quinn 0-2 each, C Crummey, J Walsh, C Burke, D Keogh 0-1 each. Dublin: F O Riain Broin 0-6 (0-1f), C Costello 0-4, R Mahon 0-3, E Smyth 0-2, D Kelly, T Connolly, E Dunne, P Crummey, D Gray, M McCaffrey 0-1 each.

DUBS STARS: G Maguire; N Corcoran, K Hetherton, B Aird; J McCaffrey, C Crummey, P Feeney; G King, P O’Dea; P Winters, F Whitely, A Moore; J Walsh, C Burke, A Quinn. Subs: G O’Meara, D Keogh, K Connolly, C McBride, C Doyle, J Madden.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; D Kelly, P Smyth, C Hendriken; T Connolly, B O’Carroll, S Barrett; R Smyth, E Dunne; P Crummey, R Mahon, C Costello; F O Riain Broin, J Hetherton, P Kelly. Subs: S O’Connor, R Curley, S O Riain, D Gray, K Fitzgerald, C Dowling, M McCaffrey, E McKenna, E Smyth.

REF: F Gaffney (Na Fianna).