Dublin hurling followers are not accustomed to seeing their side rattle in four goals and 10 points in a serious match of any sort and for that reason there can be no complaint about their enthusiastic greeting for such and event at Parnell Park yesterday. The fact that Offaly were at the receiving end of what was a quite impressive second-half performance merely added some extra spice to the occasion.
While discussion about Dublin's scheduled Leinster championship clash with Kilkenny continues to exercise some minds insofar as a venue and date are concerned, it can now be established that the idea of playing such an attractive fixture anywhere in Dublin but at Croke Park is out of the question. More than 3,000 turned up yesterday, the vast majority from Dublin, and this could be multiplied 10fold at least when championship time comes around.
One of the most persuasive reasons for such a view must be that two former Kilkenny All-Ireland medal winners will be in the blue jerseys of Dublin on that occasion and their contribution to the metropolitans' victory yesterday merely allows this fact to be underlined.
A contribution of six points from Jamesie Brennan and an even more impressive tally of 2-1 from Eamonn Morrissey illustrates how valuable these two former Kilkenny players are to the Dublin effort at the moment. But it is only fair to say that they were not alone in impressing in what was a very powerful second-half performance by Dublin. Around them have been gathered some players of considerable potential and the two corner forwards, Conor McCann from the Faughs club and Niall Butler from Kilmacud Crokes epitomised this facet of Dublin's effort, each weighing in with a goal.
Others in the Dublin colours made considerable contributions also, notably their goalkeeper Brendan McLoughlin, whose lengthy deliveries are of the sort which boosts the morale of any defence, while Liam Walsh at centre back, Sean Power behind him, Stephen Perkins, who partnered Brennan at midfield, and Barry O'Sullivan, who led the attack, all caught the eye constantly in what was, essentially, a splendid team effort.
For a time it had seemed that Offaly might sweep Dublin aside. An opening couple of minutes which saw Killian Farrell fire over two superb points from play suggested that Dublin's defence was less than alert. This view was given further credence when Michael Duignan managed to get a vital touch to a long-range John Troy free to give Offaly a shock goal after 10 minutes.
Once Dublin had settled down, things began to drift their way and a goal by McCann in the 14th minute to make the score 1-4 to 12 in their favour certainly steered Dublin into calmer waters. The introduction of Shane Dalton into the Dublin side after 27 minutes signalled a Dublin surge and his goal three minutes before half-time was important, even though Offaly finished on level terms on the break with late points by Gary Hannify and Duignan.
Offaly signalled their intentions early in the second half with points from Duignan, Billy Dooley, Hannify and John Troy, but a goal in the 17th minute of the half by Morrissey after a long delivery by Liam Walsh had not been cleared put Dublin back on course. When Niall Butler was placed by Morrissey for another goal three minutes later, Dublin's superior fitness began to tell and Offaly's challenge faded rapidly.
By the end Dublin were coasting in what was a most encouraging performance.
Dublin: B McLoughlin; J Finnegan, S Power, S Duignan; D McLoughlin, L Walsh, P Brady; J Brennan (0-6, three frees), S Perkins; S Martin, B O'Sullivan (0-1), C McCann (1-1); D Sweeney, E Morrissey (2-1), N Butler (1-1). Subs: S Dalton for Brady (25 mins); P Harney for S Duignan (49 mins); G Ennis for S Martin (54 mins).
Offaly: S Byrne; J Errity, K Kinahan, M Hanamy; B Whelahan, B Whelahan, K Martin; H Rigney (0-1), J Pilkington; M Duignan (1-2), P Mulhare (0-1), K Farrell (0-3); J Troy (0-3, two frees), J Ryan, B Dooley (0-1). Subs: G Hannify (0-2) for Mulhare (25 mins); Joe Dooley for Ryan (46 mins).
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).
