Dublin 3-25
Antrim 1-17
Derek Ryan at DCU
Dublin made it two wins from two in the Walsh Cup this afternoon, with a 14 point victory over Antrim.
A tight opening half saw the Boys in Blue go in just a point to the good at the break, however a very impressive second half showing helped Dublin ease to a comfortable win at a very chilly and blustery DCU.
Ger Cunningham's men had a blistering start to the game and were 1-3 to 0-2 ahead after just 6 minutes.
Dublin hit the net with just 4 minutes on the clock, with Paul Ryan continuing his impressive early-year form with his third goal in as many days.
However, Antrim came into the game midway through the half after their slow start- and were back level at 1-4-apiece by the 20th minute, when Eddie McCloskey hit the net for the Ulstermen.
The sides traded scores for the rest of the half, with Ryan’s accuracy from placed balls in particular helping Dublin to a 1-11 to 1-10 lead at the break.
Dublin's Paul Ryan scraps for the ball with Conor McKinley of Antrim. Credit ©INPHO/Gary Carr
Antrim drew level for the fifth time in the game with the first score of the second period, but that was as good as it got for the Saffron County, as Dublin pulled clear with two goals in 10 minutes midway through the second half to end the game as a contest.
Eamon Dillon joined Ryan in notching his third goal of the week on 45 minutes to give the Boys in Blue a 6 point advantage, while 9 minutes later, the impressive sub Sean O’Reilly scored Dublin’s third goal of the game to give them an unassailable 3-18 to 1-13 lead.
A flurry of late scores from Dillon and subs Johnny McCaffrey and Darragh O’Connell increased Dublin’s advantage further, while Ryan ended his day with 1-10 to his name, as Ger Cunningham’s men won by 3-25 to 1-17.
Cunningham will have been pleased with his side’s impressive score count by the end of the game, despite several wides, with a swirling wind at DCU not helping matters.
Ryan (1-10), Dillon (1-3), Niall McMorrow (0-5) and Chris Crummy (0-2) all particularly impressed in blue today.
Dublin face Laois in the final group game next week. Both sides have two wins from two in the group so far, so the winners next weekend will progress to the semi finals.
