Dublin 2-21

Dubs Stars 1-11

DUBLIN BOSS JIM Gavin insisted he took plenty from victory in the annual Dubs Stars challenge despite fielding a team of fringe players.

Jason Sherlock with Dublin senior footballer manager Jim Gavin. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

A storming second-half that yielded 1-17 was more than enough to burn off the Dubs Stars selection at the Parnells club grounds in Coolock.

In windswept conditions, Michael Fitzsimons was the only Dublin player involved who started last August’s Championship exit.

Donabate’s Niall Collins and underage star Conor McHugh shot 2-6 between them while young Raheny midfielder Brian Fenton also fared well.

Conor McHugh has his penalty saved by Carl Grimes of Dubs Stars. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

There was also a cameo from Ballymun’s Davy Byrne who contributed four points from wing-forward.

Gavin insisted that despite the lack of established regulars, he learned plenty from the tie:

“Of course you do, you take a lot out of it,” said Gavin. “It’s given players a big chance to stake a claim to a place in the squad.

“They were very challenging conditions out there with that strong wind but I thought they all coped well. We scored 1-17 in the second-half, in 35 minutes of football, so that’s not a bad return. I’d be very pleased with how it went.”

Gavin said he still has no indication as to Alan Brogan’s plans for 2015. The 2013 All-Ireland winning manager also said he’ll be without seven players for the O’Byrne Cup which begins on Sunday against NUI Maynooth due to college commitments.

Dublin found the early going difficult here. Gavin Burke fired three points for the Dubs Stars who led 0-8 to 1-4 at half-time. Diarmuid McLoughlin from Ballyboden impressed with 1-4 in total for the Dubs Stars and all but one of their second-half scores.

Declan O'Mahony of Dubs Stars out-jumps Stuart Lowndes. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

But Dublin were rampant after the break with Collins, McHugh, Harry Dawson, Fenton and Byrne all scoring at their ease.

Scorers for Dublin

Niall Collins 1-4, Conor McHugh 1-2, Shane Carthy (0-2 45) and Davy Byrne 0-4 each, Harry Dawson 0-3, Brian Fenton 0-2, Darren Daly and Tomas Brady 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dubs Stars

Diarmuid McLoughlin 1-4, Gavin Burke 0-3, Gareth Smith, Kevin McManamon, Niall Scully (0-1f) and Conor Walsh 0-1 each.

Dublin

1. Lorcan Molloy

2. Eoin Culligan

3. David Byrne

4. Darren Daly

5. Eric Lowndes

6. John Small

7. Nicky Devereux

8. Denis Bastick

9. Ciaran Reddin

10. Davy Byrne

11. Shane Carthy

12. Tomas Brady

13. Conor McHugh

23. Harry Dawson

24. Niall Collins

Subs used: 22. Brian Fenton, 16. Sean Currie, 19. Aaron Watters, 21. Stuart Lowndes, 18. Michael Fitzsimons.

Dubs Stars

1. Michael Savage

2. Rory O’Connor

3. Jarlath Curley

4. Hugh Gill

5. Michael Sweeney

6. Ross McGowan

7. Michael Concarr

8. Declan O’Mahony

9. Craig Dunleavy

10. Gavin Burke

14. Kevin McManamon

12. Niall Scully

19. Diarmuid McLoughlin

15. Gareth Smith

13. Conor Walsh

Subs used: 18. Cillian O’Gara, 17. Andrew Foley

Referee: Dave Feeney (Parnells).

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