Dublin 3-17 Dub Stars
3-5
12 points from the stick of Ali Twomey paved the way for a
comfortable win for Dublin in their final/opening game of the year/season –
take your pick!
Dublin with 12 of the 2015 panel in their starting 15 had
too much strength for the Dub Stars who remained in contention for the first 30
minutes thanks to three goals from long range – two from frees by Hannah
Hegarty and Orla Beagan.
The all-weather surface facilitated the flow of the game
which was played with a good competitive spirit.
Orlaith Durkan opened the scoring with a neat point after 6
minutes and although Hannah Hegarty’s goal put the Dub Stars in front for the
first time in the game – the Dublin defence was in command and rarely put a
foot wrong.
Mairi Moynihan anchored the
No. 6 well and Niamh Byrne and Siobhan Grimes won’t have done their chances any
harm of staking a claim come the start of the National League.
Dublin’s forwards were also the more lively and by the
quarter hour mark, Ali Twomey (0-3), Laoise Quinn and Orlaith Durkan had made
the score 0-6 to 1-0.
Two fortuitous
goals in as many minutes from Orla Beagan put the Dub Stars back in the lead
spot for the second and final time in the 18
th
and 20
th
minutes
But the signs were ominous when
a slick pass by Louise O’Hara set up Ali Twomey for a nice point in the 28
th
minute.
A fine save by Kate Whyte
denied the Dub Stars a goal chance in the 29
th
minute before
Zenouska Murphy fired over their best score of the game.
That was as good as it got however as a minute later the
hard-working Ali Twomey set up Mairi Moynihan whose well placed clearance found
Siobhan Kehoe.
A quick pass to the
unmarked Orlaith Durkan and the Skerries girl hammered past Joeleen Hoary in
the Stars goal.
There was no reprieve in the second half.
Ali Twomey was clearly on her game and her
industry and striking were superb.
There
will be much more important games but any day you finish with 12 points is a memorable
one.
She picked up where she left off
with a free after 50 seconds followed by a “45”.
Aoife Bugler bagged a goal in the 38
th
minute to be followed by three points from Ali Twomey in the pace of 5 minutes
– the first from a clever pass from Mairi Moynihan, the next from a free after
Sile nic Coitir made a great save and the third from a “45”.
There was no let up with Siobhan Kehoe
getting in on the scoring act in the 48
th
minute before Alex Griffin
pointed for the Dub Stars in the 52
nd
minute - their first score of
the half.
The Dub Stars staged a brief rally in the final five minutes
with good points from Aisling Maher, Alex Griffin and Frances McCann but the
Dublin team didn’t let up and Louise O’Hara, Aoife Bugler (second goal), some superb goalkeeping by Sile nic Coitir and
fittingly Ali Twomey closed the game with the last of her dozen white flags.
A useful work out ahead of some
serious training before the start of the National League in February.
Some new names like Niamh Byrne, Siobhan Grimes,
Hannah Hegarty, Mairead Luttrell, Orla Beagan and a fit again Arlene Cushen will be pushing the
more established faces for a starting spot.
Dublin
Kate Whyte, Niamh Byrne, Elaine O’Meara, Siobhan Grimes, Gráinne
Quinn, Mairi Moynihan, Claire Rigney, Miriam Twomey, Siofra Walsh, Ali Twomey
(0-12), Louise O’Hara (0-1), Emma Flanagan, Laoise Quinn (0-1), Siobhan Kehoe
(0-1), Orlaith Durkan (1-2).
Helen Cosgrave, Sile nic Coitir, Aoife Bugler (2-0), Aoife
Molloy, Mary Cronin, Siobhan Grimes, Ciara O’Leary, Laura Twomey
Dub Stars
Joeleen Hoary, Catriona Power, Mairead
Luttrell, Arlene Cushen, Fiona Hayes, Alison Maguire, Breda Kennedy, Zenouska
Murphy (0-1), Hannah Hegarty (1-0), Orla Beagan (2-0), Sarah O Donovan, Amy
Conroy, Aisling Maher (0-1), Faye McCarthy, Lynn Devoy.
Eimear Branigan, Aisling Carolan, Eve
O'Brien, Cara Dawson, Catherine Costello, Áine Fanning, Frances McCann (0-1), Ellen
McGovern, Alex Griffin (0-2).
Referee: Jenny Byrne