Surreal end as Dublin win penalty shoot out

THE Blue Stars football challenge, sponsored by the Evening Herald and Irish Nationwide and hosted by Kilmacud Crokes at Glenalbyn, came to a surreal conclusion yesterday as an impromptu penalty shoot out was organised after the Blue Stars late rally had tied up the match.

So Dublin football supporters relived macabre memories as 14 of the county's finest thrashed at zero pressure kicks and returned a success rate of 50 per cent. Dublin won in the end.

Charlie Redmond, Dublin's captain on the day, was unable to participate in the shoot out as he had been substituted in the first half - presumably having picked up a knock as he was in fine form - but was presented with the cup.

Mass withdrawal from the selected Dublin side and the handful of regulars who had been chosen as Blue Stars made this occasion even more experimental than usual and it's doubtful if it has solved many of the problems facing county manager Mickey Whelan.

There were, however, some encouraging signs. Redmond's brief contribution in the opening 18 minutes showed the Erin's Isle man to be in more energetic mood than would be customary at this time of the year. If he isn't exactly slimline, it's early yet - and his kicking was as assured as the four point haul indicates.

Another positive aspect was the continuing indication that Ciaran Whelan is the one outstanding inter county prospect to have been uncovered since the All-Ireland win. He contributed 1-3 to the team's total and might have had another two but for the crossbar and a stunning save by John Leonard - a late replacement in the Blue Star goal for the recently married Mick Pender.

Colm Halpin of Round Towers came on for Redmond and although he looks a bit awkward, is possessed of a fair kick. It was Halpin who looked to have made a significant break for Dublin in the 36th minute when latching on to a kick- out and cracking the ball home from 15 metres.

This put Dublin four points ahead, 1-8 to 0-7, after a barren enough first half had finished with only two points between the teams - Dublin leading by 0-7 to 0-5. Two minutes after Halpin's strike, Darren Homan - looking less distracted at midfield than in the full back role he filled in League matches before Christmas - added a second when finishing a good move by Dublin.

Whelan followed his lobbed goal in the 45th minute with a point to leave Dublin three goals clear, 3-10 to 0-10. The Blue Stars's charge for salvation began with nine minutes left, Mick Deegan, having reverted from corner forward to a more normal looking post at midfield, ran through onto a ball and goaled. A minute later, Keith Barr and Declan Barnes combined to send in Shay Keogh for a second.

The deficit was cut to a point when a high ball from Martin Barnes broke for Eamonn Heery and the veteran wing back finished well. Ciaran O'Hare - a late replacement for the indisposed Joe McNally - provided the equaliser.