GAELIC GAMES: This was probably not the sort of New Year breaker that Kevin Fennelly had in mind. It was bad enough that the Blue Stars provided such a paltry challenge, but worse still that his Dublin side couldn't even handle it.
No more than his football counterpart, however, Fennelly is busy sculpting his regular panel and in that regard yesterday's hour of hurling in Tallaght was good practice.
"This was basically just another training session for us," said Fennelly after the low-scoring and distinctly passive game. "It was a chance to see 27 or 28 of our panel in action and that's always a useful exercise."
Despite the perfect conditions and eager support, the game never rose close to even challenge territory. Dublin appeared to lack any sort of cohesion and for a long while they played as it if was a puck-around. Thankfully for all, the Blue Stars showed a bit of zest and provided some momentary interest.
Both Connie Ring and Johnny McGuirk of county champions Craobh Chiarain made the most of the opportunity, firing some fine scores from play and from frees to help build a 0-7 to 1-2 lead at half-time.
Brian Mulhall, who was switched to centre forward, and Shane Ryan were the brightest light for Dublin while the likes of Shane O'Neill and Stephen Hiney were mostly anonymous. Tomas McGrane also helped claw back some of the deficit but in truth Fennelly knows how much hard work remains. "I did like Brian Mulhall in there at centre forward because he's a big strong lad. Connie Ring played okay as well."
BLUE STARS: G Ryan: J Cullen, K O'Donoghue, D Spain; C Meehan, D Wyse, S Daly (0-1); D Sweeney, C Ring (0-7, six frees); G Ennis, L Ryan, J McGuirk (0-2); P O'Donoghue, D Donnelly (0-1), P Williams. Subs: C Keaney (0-1, a free) for Williams (23 mins), C Bonar for P O'Donoghue (45 mins), P Berrigan for K O'Donoghue (52 mins), P Kelly for Donnelly (58 mins), D O'Reilly for McGuirk (59 mins).
DUBLIN: T O'Donoghue; A Ryan, S Perkins, P Brennan; M Kirwan, S Martin, K Ryan; T Moore, A de Paor; S Ryan (0-2, both frees), B Mulhall (1-2), S Hiney; S O'Neill, K Flynn, T McGrane (0-3, two frees). Subs: I McCafferty for Brennan (34 mins), P Murray for Ryan (35 mins), S Mulhall for de Paor (40 mins), P Maguire for O'Neill (45 mins), J Lawlor for Kirwan (49 mins).
Referee: A Morris
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