Two exciting duels ahead in Croker double-header

Thu, 25th January 2018

Dublin's senior footballers and hurlers get their National League campaigns underway in Croke Park on Saturday night in what is sure to be two exciting clashes.

The hurlers face Offaly (5.0) off the back of an encouraging Walsh Cup as the new management under Pat Gilroy begin to shape their team.

Dublin enjoyed wins over Meath (4-18 to 0-14) and Antrim (4-16 to 0-17) before losing to eventual winners, Wexford, in the semi-final.

Paul Winters was Dublin's top-scorers over their three Walsh Cup games with a tally of 1-19 (0-14f, 0-1 '65') while Dublin also played several challenge games during the month against the likes of Waterford, Cork, Tipperary and some Fitzgibbon Cup sides.

Several Dublin panelists are in Fitzgibbon action this week with Donal Burke scoring 2-3 (0-2f) earlier in the week against UL and his DCU side are in action again on Thursday night when they host Garda.

Dublin were relegated from Division 1A last year having recorded only one victory (versus Cork) and eventually lost the relegation play-off against Clare.

The Dubs and Offaly last collided in the league in February 2013, when then like now both were in Division 1B.

Dublin won that Parnell Park contest 1-20 to 2-16 with Conal Keaney striking five points from play, Paul Ryan hitting 0-7 (0-6f) and Danny Sutcliffe amassing 1-2.

Dublin's footballers face Kildare in their NFL1 encounter (7.0) shortly after the conclusion of the hurling game.

The Dubs and Kildare last met in last year's Leinster SFC final when Jim Gavin's men secured Dublin's seventh Leinster SFC title in-a-row - a historic first.

It was an intense battle in front of a crowd of 66,734 with the game starting at break-neck pace.

The early moments contained plenty of decisive moments as the Dubs stole an early march on their way to victory.

Daniel Flynn had pointed for the Lilywhites before Tommy Moolick missed a gilt-edged goal opportunity and his side quickly paid the price.

Points from Paul Mannion, Ciarán Kilkenny, off his left, and the outstanding Con O’Callaghan had Dublin 0-3 to 0-1 in front before they struck for two goals in quick succession.

A great handpass from Kilkenny found Dean Rock strolling through the heart of the Kildare defence and his finish was ruthless.

A minute later James McCarthy fired to the net, after dove-taling with Con, before an O’Callaghan point, following a brilliantly time shoulder by James McCarthy on Daniel Flynn at the other end, had Jim Gavin’s men 2-4 to 0-1 clear by the 17th minute.

Dean Rock was black-carded in the 24th minute but his replacement Bernard Brogan enjoyed a superb afternoon when scoring five points from play.

By the break Kildare had steadied themselves and had cut the deficit to 2-8 to 0-10.

The Dubs restarted well and by the 41st minute were 2-11 to 0-11 clear following points from an O’Callaghan free, for a foul on Philly McMahon, Paddy Andrews, following great defence by Jack McCaffrey, and Bernard Brogan, again with McCaffrey to the fore.

Kildare though were still going strong but spurned another great goal opportunity when marauding forward Daniel Flynn was denied by Stephen Cluxton.

Dublin kept Kildare at arm’s length to the finish and could have had a third goal but ref Anthony Nolan whistled back for a free as Paul Mannion was clipping the ball to the net.

In the recent O'Byrne Cup Dublin drew with Offaly (1-13 to 0-16) before losing by a point to Wexford (1-12 to 0-14).

The squad was mostly comprised of 'new faces' but some players who have enjoyed some senior action in the past few seasons did well over the two games such as Colm Basquel, Brian Howard, Shane Carthy and Emmett O Conghaile.

Basquel as Dublin's top-scorer over the two games with 1-11 (0-8f).

Several Dublin panelists were in Sigerson Cup action this week with Eoin Murchan, Cillian O'Shea and Conor Mulally enjoying impressive games for UCD in their victory over Maynooth University earlier this week.

TICKET INFORMATION

The 2018 Dublin GAA Spring Series, as part of the Allianz National Leagues, begins this Saturday with a Dublin double-header in Croke Park. The Dublin Senior Hurling team will take on Offaly at 5pm, followed by the Dublin Senior Football team, who will face Kildare at 7pm. See full ticket information below:

Saturday 27th January - Croke Park

Dublin Hurlers v Offaly - 5pm

Dublin Footballers v Kildare - 7pm

Tickets are available in selected Super Valu and Centra stores and http://www.dublingaa.ie/tickets

The Ticket Office on Dorset Street will open at 10am on Tuesday 23rd January.