McHugh hits late winner for Gavin’s selection

DUBLIN 3-13 DUBS STARS 4-9

A late Conor McHugh goal secured victory for Jim Gavin's Dubs in this entertaining Dublin Bus/Herald Dubs Stars football challenge in Parnell Park on Sunday.

The Dubs Stars inspired by Tomás Quinn, who finished with a personal tally of 3-5 (1-3f), came back from eight points in arrears at the break (2-7 to 1-2) to snatch the lead late on before the Na Fianna man struck to seal the deal.

Dublin lined out minus the majority of their All-Ireland winning squad with the Ballyboden St Enda's trio of Shane Clayton, Colm Basquel and Robbie McDaid the only ones to take to the field for Gavin's selection as Dublin head off on Monday on their team holiday.

Nevertheless there was plenty of attractive football played with first half goals from the lively Killian O'Gara, younger brother of Eoghan, and McHugh giving Dublin a comfortable half-time lead after St Vincent's star Quinn had cleverly struck for goal from a 20-metre free in the 15th minute.

Quinn added two further goals in the second half - the first in the 35th minute when he reacted best to a dropping ball into the square to flick to the net and then 15 minutes later when sliding the ball along the deck under the body of the advancing Evan Comerford following good work by Paddy Small to bring the sides level, 2-9 to 3-6.

McHugh and Niall Walsh slotted points for Dublin in the final ten minutes before Dubs Stars midfielder unleashed a thunderbolt the Dublin net to again bring the sides level, 2-13 to 4-7.

Quinn added a free to edge the Stars ahead before Gerry Seaver made it a two-point lead only for McHugh, who finished with 2-4, to strike the winning goal in the final minute.

Dublin face DCU on Sunday, January 8 in Parnell Park (2.0) in their opening O'Byrne Cup clash and will select without the players who are travelling on the team holiday.

SCORERS - Dublin: C McHugh 2-4, K O’Gara 1-1, P Hudson 0-4 (0-3f), N Walsh 0-3, C Reddin 0-1. Dubs Stars: T Quinn 3-5 (1-3f), D Gavin 1-0, N Coakley 0-3 (0-2f), G Seaver 0-1.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; E O’Brien, S Clayton, R McGowan; N Scully, R McDaid, C Mullally; R Deegan, C Reddin; G Sweeney, C Basquel, N Walsh; P Hudson, K O’Gara, C McHugh. Subs used: R Gaughan, S Newcombe, R Hazley, S Cunningham, G Ivory, M Deegan, JB Carthy.

DUBS STARS: M Connolly; C Wilson, G Hannigan, T Shiels; B Howard, M Mac Donncha, R O’Brien; D Gavin, S Boland; T Lahiff, G Seaver, P Small; S Smith, N Coakley, T Quinn. Subs used: S Blanchfield, D Kerr, E O’Toole, G Carruth.

REF: D Sheppard (Round Tower, Lusk).