Dublin made easy pickings of Division 2 newcomers Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday evening to keep the pressure on League leaders Derry and Meath thanks to a comprehensive nine-point win on Shannonside.
In a one-sided affair, Dublin's starting full forward line starred, with Ross McGarry, Dean Rock and Con O’Callaghan scoring 1-13 between them – 1-9 of which came in the opening half alone, all in front of 3,670 in attendance.
It was Dublin who led by a more than comfortable 13 points at half-time - 2-12 to 0-5, a winning margin that was reduced to nine points by the time Galway referee James Molloy called a halt to proceedings thanks to an impressive third quarter performance from the hosts.
In what was the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 2007, Dublin corner back Greg McEneaney coolly slotted over the game’s opening point after just 52 seconds – a sign of things to come.
The Dubs were 0-4 to 0-1 to the good after 10 minutes thanks to scores from McEneaney, Dean Rock (two frees), and Ross McGarry with Cian Sheehan getting Limerick off the mark in the seventh minute.
This was just Dublin’s third-ever visit to Limerick for a competitive senior football game. Previously, both sides played a league clash in Askeaton in March 1993, the Sky Blues emerging 0-15 to 0-9 winners, before the Dubs narrowly overcame the Shannonsiders by 0-14 to 1-10 in the Gaelic Grounds in February 2007.
The game in 2007 was Diarmuid Connolly’s second ever league game for Dublin after making his debut the week before against Tyrone.
Croke Park hosted another novel meeting in 1973.
After a blistering start, Dublin opened up a nine-point advantage by the 20th minute when Dean Rock coolly slotted home a penalty midway through the opening half. Sheehan’s early point remained Limerick’s only score.
From here, Dublin scored three points without response as O’Callaghan, Rock and McGarry added to their ever-increasing tally.
Limerick pulled one back eight minutes before half time when Adrian Enright pointed after linking up with James Naughton.
However, directly from the resulting kick out, Brian Fenton raised the green flag for Dublin’s second goal of the afternoon, tapping in Con O’Callagan’s rebounded effort to put 13 points between the sides.
Rock, Dáire Newcomb, and O’Callaghan pointed either side of a Naughton free and a two superb effort from Limerick talisman Cian Sheehan as Dessie Farrell’s charges took a well-deserved 13-point lead into the half time break.
After an unexpected slow start to the second half, first half substitute Hugh Bourke gave Limerick a glimmer of hope three minutes after the restart. The Adare clubman took full advantage of a loose ball after Naughton’s effort on goal was blocked before rounding David O’Hanlon and finding the back of the net.
After a much-improved performance from Limerick, in a period they were reduced to 14 after Killian Ryan received a black card in the 45th minute, Naughton (free), Enright, and Bourke reduced Dublin's winning margin to seven points by the 50th minute.
In fact, Ray Dempsey’s charges outscored their Dublin counterparts by 1-3 to 0-0 in the third quarter.
Dublin found their next gear again however, and four points in a spell of just as many minutes saw Dessie Farrell’s men restore a 11-point lead by the 56th minute.
Rock’s 52nd-minute point – Dublin’s first score in 18 minutes of play – was followed by efforts from McGarry, O’Callaghan a minute later, and Rock with his second in four minutes.
A late flurry of points from Limerick reduced the deficit to nine, as the visitors slowly began to take the foot off the pedal.
It was a much-needed win in Dublin’s promotion bid after both Derry and Meath had recorded earlier wins against Louth and Clare respectively.
Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan; David Connolly, Sean O’Dea, Barry Coleman; Brian Fanning, Cillian Fahy, Michael Donovan; Cian Sheehan (0-03), Iain Corbett (0-01); Paul Maher, James Naughton (0-04, 0-04f), Gordon Browne; Adrian Enright (0-02), Colm McSweeney, Davy Lyons.
Subs: Hugh Bourke (1-01) for Ryan (22 minutes), Killian Ryan for Sheehan (h-t), Peter Nash for Browne (59), Tony McCarthy for O’Donovan (60), Robbie Bourke for O’Dea (68)
Dublin: David O’Hanlon; Cian Murphy, Seán MacMahon, Greg McEneaney (0-01); Lee Gannon, Dáire Newcomb (0-01), Lorcan O’Dell (0-01); Brian Fenton (1-00), Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne; Niall Scully; Tom Lahiff, Ciaran Kilkenny; Ross McGarry (0-04), Dean Rock (1-05, 0-04f, 1-0 penalty), Con O’Callaghan (0-04)
Subs: Colm Basquel for O’Dell (45 minutes), Killian O’Gara (0-01) for McGarry (60), Adam Fearon for Gannon (64), Sean Lowry for O’Callaghan (66), Ben Millist for McEneaney (69)
Referee: James Molloy (Galway)
