Dublin marked their first league appearance in Croke Park in eleven years with a resounding win over Down
Dublin 1-13
Down 0-06
Compiled by Daragh Ó Conchúir
Dublin marked their first senior appearance at Croke Park in 11 years and concluded their Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 campaign with a memorable 1-13 to 0-6 victory over Down.
Both sides’ future in the top tier had already been assured so they could operate with freedom on the big stage but it was the Dubs who seemed most comfortable, shooting the first four points in eight minutes of action.
Emma Flanagan got the scoring under way and Aisling Maher, Kerrie Finnegan and Maher again, from a free, followed up before Niamh Mallon got opened the visitors’ account with a lovely effort in the 12th minute.
Jody Couch and Aimee McAleenan exchanged minors as the Mourne girls settled into their surroundings, and then Elyse Jamieson Murphy and Cassie Fitzpatrick did likewise.
But one of the real success stories of Dublin’s campaign, young star Aisling O’Neill found the target for Dublin and when former All-Star Maher slotted her third of the day, that made it 0-8 to 0-3 at the half-time.
Mallon made it a four-point affair soon after the restart from a free but Dublin were finding the creation of scoring chances easier, though they did not avail of all of them. Nonetheless, a brace of Niamh Gannon points, either end of a converted free by Maher put daylight between the teams.
Down needed a goal but instead it came for the home team and in the most bizarre circumstances, as O’Neill’s shot for a point from 50m went all the way to the net with Catherine McGourty never even moving on her line, having apparently been unsighted by the sun. It was dreadfully unfortunate for the reliable McGourty and ot ended any hopes of the Mournewomen securing a positive result.
Mallon, who will be in contention for a 2021 All-Star on Friday night, did find the target twice more but Róisín Baker and Gannon were similarly accurate for the Sky Blues before the final whistle.
Dublin Scorers
14. Aisling Maher 0-04 (2f)
13. Aisling O’Neill 1-01
11. Niamh Gannon 0-03
8. Emma Flanagan 0-01
15. Kerrie Finnegan 0-01
12. Jody Couch 0-01
10. Elyse Jameison Murphy 0-01
5. Roisin Baker 0-01
Down Scorers
13. Niamh Mallon 0-04 (3f)
14. Aimee McAleenan 0-01
12. Cassie Fitpatrick 0-01
Dublin
16. Eabha Mooney
2. Christine Shanahan
3. Eve O’Brien
4. Muireann Kelleher
5. Roisin Baker
6. Hannah Hegarty
7. Emma O’Byrne
8. Emma Flanagan
9. Gaby Couch
10. Elyse Jameison Murphy
11. Niamh Gannon
12. Jody Couch
13. Aisling O’Neill
14. Aisling Maher
15. Kerrie Finnegan
Dublin Substitutions
22. Cliodhna Nicoletti for 10. Elyse Jameison Murphy (39)
23. Issy Davis for 8. Emma Flanagan (42)
24. Leah Butler for 2. Christine Shanahan (45)
18. Aoife Walsh for 15. Kerrie Finnegan (53)
25. Orla Gray for 9. Gaby Couch (53)
27. Ali Twomey for 14. Aisling Maher (56)
17. Aisling Gannon for 13. Aisling O’Neill (57)
21. Claire Gannon for 4. Muireann Kelleher (58)
Down
1. Catherine McGourty
2. Alannah Savage
3. Dearbhla Magee
4. Dearbhla Coleman
5. Caitriona Caldwell
6. Beth Fitzpatrick
7. Clare McGilligan
12. Cassie Fitpatrick
9. Clara Cowan
10. Blanaid Savage
11. Deirbhile Savage
29. Lauren Savage
13. Niamh Mallon
14. Aimee McAleenan
15. Saoirse Sands
Down Substitutions
26. Paula O’Hagan for 12. Cassie Fitpatrick (37)
20. Anna Rogan for 29. Lauren Clarke (51)
21. Aimee Mallon for 4. Dearbhla Coleman (53)
27. Ciara Fitzsimons for 15. Saoirse Sands (59)