Senior hurlers open league with impressive win over Tipp

DUBLIN 2-20 TIPPERARY 0-14

Dublin, under new manager Ger Cunningham, made a very encouraging opening to the NHL Division 1A campaign when defeating last year's All-Ireland finalists, Tipperary, on Sunday afternoon in Parnell Park.

The Dubs played some enterprising hurling, used possession well and were full value for their victory with Liam Rushe's injury time goal capping a fine team performance.

The Dublin defence was resolute throughout with the likes of Michael Carton, Conal Keaney and Shane Durkin particularly impressive and it took Tipp 19 minutes to register their first point from play.

Tipp's opportunism in front of goal was lacking while the likes of Danny Sutcliffe ensured a good supply line to the Dublin forwards with the St Jude's man contributing two points from play himself.

A minute earlier Dublin had struck for their crucial first goal when Eamonn Dillon fired to the net following a pass from Rushe.

Points from sub Ryan O'Dwyer, who had replaced the injured Ross O'Carroll, and the influential Paul Ryan put Dublin 1-7 to 0-3 in front after 23 minutes.

The best point of the opening half arguably came from Chris Crummey, following good work by Durkin initially, with Crummey's superb 85 metre effort giving his side a 1-8 to 0-4 lead.

It was an advantage Dublin strengthened before the interval and led 1-11 to 0-5 at half-time following points from Ryan (free) and a brilliantly judged effort from Mark Schutte.

Durkin's point on the restart gave Dublin an even greater cushion and despite the accuracy of John 'Bubble' O'Dwyer Dublin dealt with whatever threat Tipp could pose in the second half.

Dublin concluded the game in style when the sliotar broke for Rushe from a Cian Boland delivery and the big St Pat's, Palmerstown man cracked a stunning drive to the roof of Darren Gleeson's net.

Next up for Dublin is a trip to Nowlan Park to face All-Ireland champions Kilkenny.

SCORERS - Dublin: P Ryan 0-8 (0-4f, 0-1 ‘65’), E Dillon 1-2, L Rushe 1-1, D Sutcliffe, M Schutte 0-2 each, S Durkin, C Crummey, C Cronin, C Boland, R O’Dwyer 0-1 each. Tipperary: J O’Dwyer 0-6 (0-1f), S Callanan 0-4 (0-3f), S McGrath, J Woodlock, J Forde (0-1f), C O’Brien 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; C O’Callaghan, M Carton, P Schutte; C Crummey, P Kelly, C Keaney; S Durkin, C Cronin; R O’Carroll, E Dillon, D Sutcliffe; P Ryan, L Rushe, M Schutte. Subs: R O’Dwyer for O’Carroll (15 inj), C Boland for O’Dywer (58), B Quinn for Cronin (60), D O’Callaghan for Ryan (65), J McCaffrey for Durkin (67).

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; Joe O’Dwyer, P Curran, C Barrett; K Bergin, C O’Mahony, Pádraic Maher; S McGrath, J Woodlock; D Maher, J Forde, B Maher; G Ryan, J Forde, John O’Dwyer. Subs: R Maher for D Maher (ht), T Stapleton for McGrath (ht), C Kenny for Ryan (45), C O’Brien for O’Mahony (52), M Breen for Joe O’Dwyer (66 inj).

REF: B Kelly (Westmeath).

ATTENDANCE: 5,000 (Est).