Dubs Stars give Gilroy’s men a dose of blues

Conal Keaney, David Henry and Bernard Brogan were impressive as Dublin crashed to their first defeat of 2010 in the Annual Dub Stars challenge under floodlights at the Fingallians GAA Club in Swords this evening.

GAA President Christy Cooney and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were among those watching the first game to use the GAA’s new experimental rules.

Conal Keaney opened the scoring for the Dubs Stars with a well taken point, and it was his side who made the most of a one-sided first half.

Keaney added another point to see his side break into an early 0-5 to 0-1 advantage, before the game’s opening goal.

Right corner-forward Andrew Kerin pushed his side seven points clear with a well executed three-pointer.

The Ballyboden St Enda’s clubman made full advantage of the new rules after he poached a goal inside the small square.

Bernard Brogan was a major influence for the Dubs Stars as he added their second goal.

Brogan also bagged a brace of points before the interval to push the Dub Stars to a 2-7 to 0-2 interval lead.

Dublin rallied at the start of the second half as Tomas Quinn slotted over a trio of points.

Eoghan O’Gara, Dean Kelly, Conor Murphy and James Brogan were also on target for Pat Gilroy’s side as they continued to edge into the Dubs Stars lead.

However a brace of scores from St. Mary’s Blaine Kelly and Jonny Cooper kept the Stars on top.

The Dubs Stars were impressive from defence to attack with corner back Chris Guckian adding a well taken point to push his side into a 3-12 to 0-10 lead.

Raheny’s David Henry also showed great influence from his midfield berth.

Dublin were handed a life-line when Quinn dispatched a late penalty to cut the deficit to eight-points.

But the Dub Stars weren’t to be denied victory as they remained resilient until the end to carve out an impressive nine-point win.

After the game Pat Gilroy was tight-lipped on the possibility of Ciaran Whelan making a return to the Dublin football squad.

The St. Vincent’s clubman also felt that it was a worthwhile match.

“It was (a useful exercise). We had a chance to throw in a load of lads who had never played before.

“It was always going to be a worthwhile workout for us.”

DUBLIN (SF v Evening Herald/Dubs Stars) – Michael Savage (St Vincent’s); Paul Conlon (St Vincent’s), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge St), Conor McCormack (St Mary’s, Saggart); Paul Casey (Lucan Sarsfields), Ger Brennan (St Vincent’s), James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams); Eamon Fennell (O’Toole’s), Paul Flynn (Fingallians); Brian Courtney (Na Fianna), Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis), Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens); Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams), Eoghan O’Gara (Templeogue Synge St), Tomás Quinn (St Vincent’s).

Subs: Stephen Cluxton (Parnells), Hugh Gill (St Vincent’s), Nicky Devereaux (Ballinteer St John’s), Diarmuid Connolly (St Vincent’s), Gerry Seaver (Ballyboughal), James Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh), Brian Sexton (St Sylvester’s), Dean Kelly (Trinity Gaels), Colm Murphy (St Jude’s), Ciarán Farrell (Fingallians), Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams).

DUBS STARS (SF v Dublin) – David Nestor (Kilmacud Crokes); Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams), Ian Clarke (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Chris Guckian (St Jude’s); Darragh Nelson (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Niall O’Shea (St Judes), Michael Brides (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh); Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Andy Glover (St Judes); Adrian Morrissey (Kilmacud Crokes), Conal Keaney(Ballyboden St Enda’s), Blaine Kelly (St Mary’s, Saggart); Andrew Kerin (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Kenny Naughton(Ballyboden St Enda’s), Kevin McManamon (St Jude’s).

Subs: Daire Walsh (Ballyboden St Enda’s), Seán Breheny (St Jude’s), Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Seán Murray (St Brigid’s), Declan O’Mahony (Ballyboden St Enda’s)