It’s a long way home to Tipperary after today’s shellacking
The opening weekend of the Allianz Hurling League threw up more than few surprises but no one expected such a comprehensive win for Dublin, today, under new manager Ger Cunningham. The final score of 2-20 to 0-14 was just desserts for Dublin.
Just over a week after losing the Walsh Cup final in Croke Park, the crowd in Parnell Park witnessed the dawn of a new era with the Dubs rampant throughout the 70 minutes. Tipperary looked shell-shocked by the power and precision of the Metropolitans, who had 1-4 on the board inside the first seven minutes.
Eamon Dillon’s first half goal saw Dublin ahead at the break by 1-11 to 0-5, while Paul Ryan was on fire from placed balls, scoring four points and one ’65 over the course of the seventy minutes, as well as three points from play.
Tipperary did rally after the break and notched six points without reply thanks mostly to the efforts of ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer but Liam Rushe’s last gasp goal put the seal on an impressive win as the Dubs top the table after round one.
In the other Div 1A game of the afternoon, Clare just came up short against Galway in Salthill after the home side snatched the win from Davy Fitzgerald’s grasp. The visitors began the game without Tony Kelly and both his energy and passing were sorely missed as Galway stole into an early lead.
The impressive Jason Flynn picked up where he left off in the Walsh Cup with a total of nine points during the game. Flynn was key to their half-time lead of 1-9 to 1-8 with goals from Cathal Mannion and John Conlon.
Clare began the second half brightly and led by 1-12 to 1-9 by the 40th minute. They maintained that gap until 12 minutes from time when Joseph Cooney found the net to tie the game. The Banner responded and led by one entering injury time when Flynn popped over the equaliser from a ’65.
He stole the win for the home side with a free from 50 metres in the second minutes of added on time to leave it 2-15 to 1-17 after a thrilling 70 minutes
In Division 1B, Wexford saw off a spirited Antrim side in Wexford Park by 1-24 to 2-20. The home side enjoyed the better of the opening 35 minutes as they led by 1-12 to 1-9 thanks to a Liam Og McGovern goal.
However they were rocked in the second half as Tomas Waters received a red card, and just escaped with the win as Antrim shot 1-6 before Harry Kehoe scored the winner late on.
In Division 2A, there was wins for Carlow and Westmeath while Kerry and Derry were held to a draw in Tralee.
Carlow enjoyed an handsome home win in Netwatch Cullen Park,racking up 3-17 to the Wicklow’s’ 1-6 to begin their push for promotion in style.
Westmeath secured a valuable win as they hammered London in the early game by 2-20 to 1-8 while Kerry had a last gasp 73rd minute free from Shane Nolan to thank for sparing their blushes in a 0-14 draw in Austin Stack Park.
On Saturday night in Division 1A Kilkenny beat Cork by 2-17 to 1-22.
In Division 1B, Limerick and Waterford shared a 2-6 to 0-22 draw in the Gaelic Grounds while Offaly beat Laois in Portlaoise by 1-24 to 0-23
