Dublin 2-20 Tipperary 0-14
Ger Cunningham got his Dublin management career off to a flying start in Parnell Park, as his team overpowered All-Ireland finalists Tipperary and earned a valuable 12-point win to kick-start their Allianz Hurling League Division One A campaign.
More forceful in defence and accurate in attack, the home side held the whip hand throughout the match, leading 1-11 to 0-5 at half-time with Paul Ryan contributing well from placed balls and play.
The goals came from Eamonn Dillon in the first half and in a grace note in injury-time at the end, Liam Rushe. In between Dublin looked sharper and more purposeful whereas Tipperary struggled for any rhythm with only John O'Dwyer carrying the fight in any way convincingly.
Cunningham’s tactical trials also worked better, although Rushe at times looked frustrated at full forward, but the late switch of Conal Keaney to wing back was a big success with the experienced Ballyboden player dominating his wing.
There was also a good collective display from the fullback line with Michael Carton getting into it at full back and playing well.
Tipp manager Eamon O’Shea by contrast struggled for transformational ideas. His captain Brendan Maher was moved around the field and didn’t get a decent run up front where he started whereas Shane McGrath, who started well at centrefield, had to go off injured before half-time.
DUBLIN: A Nolan; C O'Callaghan, M Carton, P Schutte; C Crummey (0-1), P Kelly, C Keaney; S Durkin (0-1), C Cronin (0-1); R O'Carroll, E Dillon (1-2), D Sutcliffe (0-2); P Ryan (0-8, four frees, one 65), L Rushe (1-1), M Schutte (0-2).
Subs: R O'Dwyer (0-1) for O'Carroll (14 mins), C Boland (0-1) for O'Dwyer (58 mins), B Quinn for Cronin (61 mins), D O'Callaghan for Ryan (65 mins), J McCaffrey for Durkin (68 mins).
TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; Joe O'Dwyer, P Curran, C Barrett; K Bergin, C O'Mahony, P Maher; S McGrath (0-1), J Woodlock (0-1); D Maher, J Forde (0-1, free), B Maher (capt); G Ryan, S Callanan (0-4, three frees), John O'Dwyer (0-6, one free).
Subs: R Maher for D Maher, T Stapleton for McGrath (both half-time), C Kenny for Ryan (45 mins), C O'Brien (0-1) for O'Mahony (52 mins), M Breen for Joe O'Dwyer (67 mins).
Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath).
