North Dublin produce clinical display

LEINSTER COLLEGES SHC A FIRST ROUND/Dublin North 2-15 Birr 0-12:NORTH DUBLIN overcame the absence of two of their top forwards to power past 14-man Birr in this Leinster Colleges Senior A first-round hurling clash at the Russell Park all-weather pitch in Blanchardstown yesterday.

North Dublin were without a number of regulars including All-Ireland minor finalists and star forwards Ciarán Kilkenny and Cormac Costello.

But they stung Birr for 2-3 in the first six minutes of the second half and gave the Offaly men a lesson in efficiency after Birr squandered early possession to trail 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time.

A fantastic save from North Dublin goalkeeper Jack Higgins denied Darragh Cleary an early goal and then inside three minutes at the start of the second half Graham Williams and then AJ Murphy pounced to rifle shots to the back of the Birr net.

Cleary, Emmet Nolan and Seán T O’Connor tried hard to stir a revival but the sending off of Conor Walsh on a second yellow card in the 39th minute gave Birr an even greater struggle.

Cian Boland, Paul Graves and Gavin Burke continued to impress for the Dubs and keep them out of danger against a Birr side who included former Offaly senior star Barry Whelahan in their management team.

DUBLIN NORTH: J Higgins; C Dolan, M O’Dea, L Carey; C McDonald, G Burke, J Collins; P Graves (0-2), E Howard; K Rogers, C McHugh (0-1), A Rooney (0-1); AJ Murphy (1-4, 0-1 free), C Boland (0-3), G Williams (1-4). Subs: C Memery for Carey (inj, 25 mins), F McGibbs for McHugh (40 mins), M Duda for Rogers (40 mins), M Kavanagh for Graves (50 mins), K Hetherton for Boland (52 mins).

BIRR: K O’Connor; K Donovan, B Connors, C Walsh; C Fitzgerald, E Hayes, E Pilkington; E Nolan (0-6, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65), C Mulrooney (0-1); J Molloy, C Guilfoyle, S O’Connor; ST O’Connor (0-3), K Dunne, D Cleary (0-2). Subs: P Mullins for S O’Connor (40 mins), C Doughan for Pilkington (52 mins), C Donnelly for Nolan (55 mins).

Referee: F McGreevey (Dublin).