Dublin 1-11  Derry 0-3

An unplayable Parnell Park forced the move of this game to Bray Emmets where the sides enjoyed a perfect sod for this opener in the Irish Daily Star National League.

To say that Dublin were overjoyed with the result would be an understatement as the side has come through a barren spell since their last league win on 26 February 2012.    On that occasion, Dublin hung on by the skin of their teeth for a one point victory over Tipperary.   If teeth were chattering in Bray Emmets on this occasion it was because of the cold, the wind and the rain.   But on days you win you don’t notice these inconveniences.

Dublin will be the first to admit that at half-time an 11 points winning margin was anything but a certainty.   Derry had played with great composure and skill in the first 30 and while they failed to raise a flag, the home side led by just 1-4 having hit 8 wides with the wind at their backs.

By no means an insurmountable lead.   But little things matter a lot.   Significantly Dublin hit the first score of the second half following a great tussle for the ball – it fell to Louise O’Hara to get her third white flag of the afternoon.   Five minutes later following determined play by Claire Rigney and debutante Martha O’Donoghue, Louise brought her tally to four points.

It took Derry until 41 ^st minute to register their first point – a Karen Kielt point but it was poor consolation as the score followed a brilliant double stop by ‘keeper Sile Nic Coitir.   The first was a low drive by Karen Kielt, the second a diving save as the ball seemed destined for the top corner of the net.

A goal would have been a tonic for Derry at that stage but the save inspired Dublin and their superior fitness began to tell as the game wore on.

They should have been more in front at the break but having amassed 1-3 in 17 ^th minutes Dublin could only tag on one more before the break.   The goal was a peach.   A long ball into the corner from Claire Rigney was claimed by Emma Flanagan and she showed excellent decision-making to lay off to Siobhán Kehoe and she netted sweetly.   Louise O’Hara pointed twice in the next ten minutes intersected by an Ali Twomey free and Dublin looked in control.   But they could only add one more score – a booted effort from the hard-working Martha O’Donoghue.  

But the closing quarter of the game was a different exercise.    The Management introduced   7 off of the bench at various intervals ensuring that 22 players got pitch time and added freshness and pace to the game plan.   The speed of Laoise Quinn caused all sorts of problems for the Derry defence and she pointed in the 45 ^th minute before Emma Flanagan got on the scoresheet with a deserved point.  

Dublin’s defence was solid throughout with central positions very well anchored by Rose Collins and Alison Maguire.

A touch of the killer instinct so necessary at this level was shown by Ali Twomey in the closing stages who fired home the game’s last three points – two of them excellent scores from play.

A great start and a confidence booster for big games to come.

Scorers:  

Dublin: Louise O’Hara (0-4), Ali Twomey (0-4, 2f), Siobhán Kehoe (1-0), Emma Flanagan (0-1), Martha O’Donoghue (0-1)

Derry:   Karen Kielt (0-3, 1f)

Dublin team – Sile Nic Coitir, Catríona Power, Rose Collins, Deirdre Johnstone, Gráinne Quinn, Alison Maguire, Aisling Carolan, Claire Rigney, Martha O’Donoghue, Ali Twomey, Sarah O’Donovan, Louise O’Hara, Aisling Maher, Siobhán Kehoe, Emma Flanagan.

Subs: Elaine O’Meara, Laoise Quinn, Miriam Twomey, Orlaith Durkan, Aoife Bugler, Áine Fanning, Mairi Moynihan

Referee: Owen Elliott