Dublin's hurlers began the year in impressive style with an ultimately comfortable win over the Blue Stars at the Kilmacud grounds, Stillorgan. Despite what county manager Michael O'Grady referred to as "the A team" playing for the opposition, Dublin were more dangerous in attack and after some first-half difficulties, more effective at the back. "It proves that heart is more important than hurling," said O'Grady afterward, "especially at this time of the year. We had a few defections and we had lads on who I felt wouldn't even be close to the outside of the frame.

"Of course this sort of ground suits players who are strong and tough but the Blue Stars were very poor and they lacked heart which was a pity because a lot of them are on at least the proposed Dublin team for 2000. On heart alone, a lot of our fellas deserve another chance although it's hard to tell on soft ground."

Withdrawals and seasonal illness deprived both sides of selected players. Liam O'Donoghue and Conor McCann dropped off the Blue Stars and were replaced by Derek McMullan and Shane Martin. Dublin were even harder hit and lost Damien McLaughlin, Kieran Wilson, Stephen Perkins, John Lalor and Kevin Flynn.

Donal Tutty, David Henry, Kieran Brady, Paul Meehan and Fintan Clandillon were called up as replacements with county dual player Shane Ryan moving to centre forward.

By the sixth minute, Dublin had settled in courtesy of a goal by full forward Keith Horgan. Late call-up Meehan had a productive match, scoring 1-5, and was to the fore as the county side established a 1-4 to 0-2 lead by the 17th minute. By this stage the Blue Stars looked in danger of being overrun and but for the marksmanship of Connie Ring, they would have lost touch on the scoreboard.

He and Niall Butler put together an unanswered sequence of three points to make a match of it towards the end of the half. Meehan struck for a goal in the 25th minute after a penalty attempt had been blocked but within a minute the Blue Stars responded.

Again it was Butler, a constant menace in the right corner, who created the opening when his fierce shot into the goal presented full forward Dermot Daly with a clear chance. Daly who had had a similar attempt saved by the vigilant Eamonn Curley, made no mistake this time.

There were only two points in it at half-time, 2-5 to 1-6, but Dublin were more successful at tightening up in the second half.

Sean Duignan came in at right corner back, allowing John Finnegan to move over and bring the shutters down on Butler.

The sides traded points in the opening skirmishes after the interval but six unanswered points from Dublin settled the issue as the Blue Stars managed only one point in the closing 12 minutes.

"Believe it or not we're back training again tomorrow night (Monday)," said O'Grady. "I keep saying it and I won't change my tune, but unless there's a miracle this year Dublin will be knocked out by the end of May.

"Still these lads will start training three nights a week and are going to put it all in. It's fabulous commitment from players who unless something happens - of course you live in the hope that something will - the future doesn't look great for them."

The new championship structure in Leinster which gives Dublin a series of matches against Laois and the Kehoe Cup finalists met with limited approval from O'Grady.

"It's a small improvement but I'd prefer a full round-robin where the top teams would be involved because - with no disrespect to the Kehoe Cup teams which I know could beat us on the day - we would benefit so much from playing Kilkenny and Offaly and Wexford and Laois in big matches.

"You can only really improve your hurling playing against topclass players. We have all the skill we need but are maybe a little bit slow at times under pressure. That's only exposed on hard ground. That won't be exposed in League matches in February or March."

Dublin: E Curley; J Finnegan, D McCormack, D O'Mahony; D Tutty, D McInerney, D Henry; D Maher (0-1), K Brady (0-1); G Ennis (0-1), S Ryan (0-1), P Meehan (1-5, three points from frees); E Carroll (0-3), K Horgan (1-2), F Clandillon (0-2). Subs: S Duignan for O'Mahony (half-time); P Crompton for Tutty (40 mins); B Scott for Horgan (50 mins).

Blue Stars: T O'Mahony; S Power, L Walsh, D Feehan; S Boland, P Harney (0-1), D McMullan; M Fitzsimons (0-1), D Sweeney (0-1); T McGrane, C Ring (0-5, all frees), S Martin; N Butler (0-1), D Daly (1-1), D Russell (0-1). Subs: T McKeown for Daly (48 mins); R Boland for Russell (48 mins); D Spain for Feehan (51 mins).

Referee: G Henry (O'Tooles).