Superb Boland the star as Dublin finish strongest

DUBLIN opened their National Hurling League Division Two campaign with a victory over Kerry at Tralee's Austin Stack Park yesterday.

Kerry led throughout until a goal by Brian McMahon seven minutes from time put Dublin into a one point lead.

Dublin shot a total of 15 wides, with Jamesie Brennan the biggest culprit. Overall, the former Kilkenny player had a fine game, winning plenty of possession at midfield, but his accuracy from placed balls was not up to his usual standard.

Kerry scored right from the throw in when Brendan O'Sullivan pointed a free following a foul on Jerome O'Sullivan. They led by 0-4 to 0-0 after eight minutes, with O'Sullivan pointing two further frees, and Brendan O'Mahony also getting on the scoresheet.

Dublin finally opened their account after 11 minutes when McMahon fetched a high ball on the right and scored from an acute angle. O'Mahony and Eamonn Morrissey traded points before Tony Maunsell extended Kerry's lead with a point after 18 minutes.

Kerry were dominating at this stage but found it difficult to pull ahead. Brendan O'Sullivan added two further frees, Brennan did likewise for Dublin, and so Kerry led 0-8 to 0-4 at half time.

Dublin made a significant change at half time, bringing on veteran Mick Morrissey at centre forward to curb a rampant Nicholas Roche. Morrissey used his height to good effect and also scored two valuable points.

Stephen Perkins reduced the arrears in the opening minute of the second half and when Ruairi Boland pointed a long range free five minutes later, two points separated the sides.

Boland was the star for Dublin, clearing his lines time and again, and his point was just reward for a superb performance.

An improving Jerry O'Sullivan increased Kerry's lead but Mick and Eamonn Morrissey replied for Dublin. Brendan O'Sullivan, with another free 10 minutes from time, put Kerry two points ahead but McMahon's goal came three minutes later.

The opening was created by midfielder Sean Deignan who carved open the defence with his solo run. He hand passed to Eamonn Morrissey whose shot was saved by goalkeeper John Healy. McMahon's follow up effort was again brilliantly saved by Healy but the rebound was batted by McMahon to the net.

Brendan O'Sullivan levelled from a free five minutes from the end. But Dublin had the final say with Mick Morrissey and Brennan (a free) getting the winning scores.