Dub Stars put County Stars through their paces
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IT was perhaps inevitable that, after a spell of decent weather, those who gathered for Sunday's New Years offering on Kiltipper Road should be greeted by arctic conditions that even had Dublin manager, Pat Gilroy, smiling in bemusement afterwards.
'It's good that the weather has turned that bit colder as well,' remarked the big Vins man as he saw an understrength Dublin team overcome their Dub Stars opponents with a late surge on the Thomas Davis all-weather surface.
Tiring a bit after the break, Dublin without their All Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen and All-star Paul Flynn, struggled against Gerry Mcenroe's club selection who really put it up to the Metropolitans after the break in what were very testing conditions.
Even the hardened media gathering struggled to keep their wits about them as a strong arctic wind blew unmercifully into their faces as the game approached its completion. Dublin selector and former player David Hickey, however, took it all in his stride as equipped with an ipad he duly jotted down the various stats which will undoubtedly make for interesting reading when the squad assemble today for their first session of the year.
Dublin were rescued in the end by Kevin Mcmanamon who as in the All-ireland decider against Kerry was on hand to swoop with a decisive goal with just a few moments to go. It was a day when Gilroy experimented with Eamon Fennell pushed into the full forward position upon his introduction.
There were also some good cameos from Sylvesters man Miceal Mccarthy who having looked very mobile in the opening exchanges popped up with a point near the end as Dublin edged out this encounter by two points. Darren Daly was also given outing at left corner back and certainly gave an honest display throughout.
The Ravens utility man after a troubled league campaign in 2011 will be looking to show Gilroy that he still has plenty to offer Dublin in the weeks to come. Dublin began this game with plenty of gusto with 2011 player of the year, Alan Brogan, driving a terrific effort past the keeper with just three minutes gone.
The Dub Stars, however, responded with points from Armagh's Johnny Murtagh and home favourite Paul Hudson to edge back in front only for All star midfielder Micheal Dara Macauley to ghost through the Dub Stars defence to restore Dublin's lead.
The Dublin Stars however responded with goals with goals from Ken Darcy and Ross Mcconnell before two late frees from Blaine Kelly saw Dublin up by 2-6 to 2-5 at the break.
The second half was a scrappy affair with scores thin on the ground. Nonetheless frees from Ken Darcy and Murtagh gave the Stars the advantage before Dublin made the big push with ten minutes to go.
And after newcomer Rory Corcoran and Mccarthy had edged Dublin back in front, Mcmanamon then beat the keeper with a low drive. Kelly then took his tally for the afternoon to three points before Philly Ryan struck with a late goal for the Stars.
- RORY KERR
