O'Carroll catches the eye

Dublin 2-15 Dublin Stars 4-9 (Dublin Stars won 3-1 on penalties):Kilmacud Crokes star Ross O'Carroll registered 2-2 for the county hurlers, but the Dublin Stars prevailed on penalties.

Wexford defender Malachy Travers's early goal helped the Dublin Stars into a 1-5 to 0-4 half-time lead but the impressive O'Carroll's two goals helped keep Dublin in contention.

Stuart Mullen's injury-time point for Dublin ensured a penalty shoot-out that was decided by the Stars' Fintan Clandillon.

SCORERS: Dublin: R O'Carroll 2-2, K Dunne 0-3, S Lambert, P Carton, S Mullen (0-2 each), D O'Callaghan, P Ryan, D Qualter, S Costello (one free) 0-1 each). Dublin Stars: J Doody 1-2, D Russell 1-1, M Travers, A Nolan (pen) 1-0 each, F Clandillon 0-3 (2 frees), P Brennan, K Flynn, A McCrabbe (65) (0-1 each).

Stars make grade

Dublin ... 2-12 Dublin Stars ... 4-6 (Dublin Stars won 2-1 on penalties)

Barry Kennedy rounded off a good display with a late goal for Dublin to ensure a penalty shoot-out against the Dublin Stars at Naomh Mearnóg on Saturday. The Stars eventually prevailed courtesy of strikes from Bernard Brogan and Kevin Leahy.

Goals from Brogan and Leahy helped the Stars lead 2-4 to 1-6 at the break. Donal Ryan and Kevin McManamon added goals for the club side but the county men dominated to the end.

SCORERS: Dublin: B Kennedy 1-3 (0-1, 45), J O'Brien 1-1 (one pen), D Lally 0-3, P Burke 0-2, C Daly, J Sherlock, D Connolly (0-1 pen) (0-1 each). Dublin Stars: K Leahy, K McManamon, B Brogan, D Ryan 1-0 each, M Vaughan 0-2, (0-1,free, 0-1 45), B McManamon, T Quinn, P Brogan, Paddy Andrews (0-1 each).