The Dublin hurlers' bandwagon rolled on at the Gaelic Grounds today as they maintained their unbeaten record in Allianz NHL Division 1B with a 0-22 to 1-15 dismissal of Limerick.
The reigning Division Two champions held off Limerick, despite losing free-taker David Curtin and Liam Ryan to injury before the throw-in.
The sides were level four times before the Dubs established a 0-13 to 1-08 half-time lead. Full-forward Sean O'Connor flicked home Limerick's goal in the 17th minute.
Scores from Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Pat Tobin cut the deficit to two points but Kevin Flynn and Kevin O'Reilly, who tallied up 0-07, both landed late points to see Dublin home.
O’Reilly, who stood in for Curtin, was the game's outstanding forward. He hit over two sublime sideline cuts and should retain his place in the side for Wednesday night’s re-fixed game away to Antrim.
Shell-shocked after their Bank Holiday Monday humbling against Kilkenny, the Shannonsiders started well with Ollie Moran and Andrew O’Shaughnessy (free) knocking over early points.
Dublin's tigerish left half-back Derek O'Reilly, who has drawn plenty of plaudits through this league campaign, opened the Metropolitans’ account with a terrific score from 75 metres out.
Good vision from Donie Ryan created Moran's second point as Limerick went 0-03 to 0-01 ahead, but Tommy Naughton’s visitors hit the next five points to burst into a double scores lead by the quarter-hour mark.
Ger O'Meara, O'Reilly, with a '65' and a free, and Padraig O’Driscoll, who pointed twice from play, raced the Dubs clear.
Donie Ryan then worked himself a goal chance but he resorted to kicking the sliotar over the bar. Limerick managed to reduce the deficit with a smartly taken goal – O'Connor flashed home after a long ball in.
Dublin maintained their lead for the interval, at 0-13 to 1-08, and they moved further ahead when O’Reilly landed a free and sideline cut.
Two O'Shaughnessy frees sandwiched a John Kelly score and it was almost point for point thereafter.
O'Shaughnessy, Donal O'Grady and Pat Tobin did cut the gap to 0-16 to 1-11 and then 0-20 to 1-15 but that was as close as Richie Bennis’ charges got.
