Dublin 0-16 Dubs Stars 1-11:Jim Gavin's tenure as Dublin manager started in earnest as an experimental selection accounted for the Dubs Stars by two points in their annual football challenge played at St Peregrine's GAA Club, Blanchardstwown, yesterday.
Gavin’s experimental selection were behind for the majority of the game but, aided by six points from the accurate Paul Hudson, Dublin finished strongly to claim a narrow win over a Ballymun-influenced Dubs Stars selection.
In a lively opening half, local player Robbie McCarthy illuminated the afternoon with a glorious point in the 19th minute for Dublin while Ballymun’s Ted Furman did likewise for the Dubs Stars in an eagerly-contested affair.
With Dublin leading by 0-6 to 0-4 approaching the break, Dean Rock worked wonders in finding Michael McCarthy and the St Sylvester’s man found the net to hand his side a narrow interval lead.
McCarthy and Paddy Andrews both resumed in fine form for the Dubs Stars, sharing three points but gradually Hudson began to seize control, with the Thomas Davis player kicking four excellent second-half scores for Dublin.
Trailing by three points deep into injury-time, the Dubs Stars launched one final attack and from close range Philip McMahon fired wildly over the crossbar to spare the prospect of a penalty shoot-out.
