Dublin make a bright start to New Year

Dublin 2-13 Blue Stars 2-12Dublin started the New Year on a winning note at Portmarnock yesterday.In the absence of the injured Alan Brogan, Tommy Lyons opted for a four-two formation in attack with Tomas Quinn and Declan O'Mahony lining out in the full-forward line.

The Blue Stars decided not to risk Rory Gallagher who is suffering from a recurrence of a cruciate knee ligament problem.

However, Gallagher's cousin and Fermanagh captain Raymie Gallagher lined out in the corner for the Blue Stars side which also included five of the Dublin team beaten by Armagh in last year's All-Ireland qualifiers.

The Dublin team looked very sharp early on with corner forward Quinn running up a good tally of 1-4 inside the first 20 minutes. But the St Vincent's attacker then went over awkwardly on his ankle as he went up for a ball, ending his involvement.

Nonetheless, Dublin were able to build up a useful 1-8 to 0-6 lead before Blue Stars' forward Derek Byrne netted the first of two goals after 37 minutes.

The St Enda's star was on hand once more on 54 minutes before Mark Fitzpatrick secured the game for Tommy Lyons' men with six minutes remaining.

DUBLIN: B Murphy, D Henry, P Christie, S O' Shaughnessy, C Prenderville, B Cullen, P Andrews, D Magee (0-1), D Homan (0-1), J Mc Nally (0-2), C Whelan (0-1), K Golden (0-1), B Kennedy (0-1), T Quinn (1-4), D O'Mahony. Subs: P Copeland for Murphy, C Keaney (0-1) for O' Mahony, M Fitzpatrick (1-0) for Mc Nally, J Coughlan for Homan, S Walsh for Quinn, P Casey for Cullen, T Mulligan (0-1) for Golden.

BLUE STARS: S Cluxton, P Griffin, D Cahill, Ronan Cosgrove, G Norton, P Curran, M Galvin, C Murphy, C Goggins, S Connell (0-3), S Ryan, D Lally (0-1), D Byrne (2-2), J Sherlock (0-1), Raymie Gallagher (0-3). Subs: L O' Herineachain (0-1) for Cosgrove, K Farrelly (0-1) for Ryan.

Referee: T Mc Carthy (St Vincent's).