Dublin 1-17 Waterford 2-19
Goals in either half for Waterford’s Stephen Bennett were too much of a sting in the tail for Dublin as they fell short for the second time in this year’s Allianz National Hurling League.
It was certainly a game of two halves as Dublin dominated the first half but just weren’t at races after the break.
An early point from Waterford’s marksman Pauric Mahony got things going and when his second attempt struck the post, Bennett pounced to whip the ball past Conor Dooley to raise the green flag.
But Dublin responded well and by the fourteenth, thanks to Donal Burke (2), Eamon Dillon (2) and Chris Crummey, they were in front and in control.
Rian McBride and Dillon tagged on two more after a Mahony free. Chris Crummey sent in a high ball, which Donal Burke managed to successfully gather and send it smashing into the Waterford net to extend Dublin’s lead.
Despite having their lead cut, Dublin still looked firmly in control, the difference being the free scoring of Pauric Mahony. Three frees from him, and scores from Kevin Moran (2) and Austin Gleeson kept Waterford in touching distance. Two from Donal Burke and another from Dillon saw Dublin go into the break up by 0-02 on 1-10 to 1-08.
Disaster struck right at the beginning of the second half though, as Conor Dooley failed to recover a loose ball, and Shane Bennett was there to pounce sending Waterford’s second goal into the empty net and from there the Deise took control.
Bennett followed the goal with a point and Mahony again converted a free before Burke got Dublin’s account open and Ryan O’Dwyer made it a one point game.
It wasn’t long before Mahony’s influence started to drag Waterford ahead and despite trading points for a good ten minutes, Waterford found themselves five ahead with ten minutes to go and Dublin looked in trouble unable to find a response.
O’Dwyer, McMorrow, McBride and Burke all pointed to keep Dublin’s tally running, But four from Mahony, and one each for Bennett and substitute Maurice Shanahan were more than enough to keep the game out of Dublin’s reach.
Final score in Croke Park tonight. Dublin 1-17 Waterford 2-19
Scorers for Dublin:
Donal Burke 1-07 (7f)
Eamon Dillon 0-04
Ryan O’Dwyer 0-02
Rian McBride 0-02
Chris Crummey 0-01
Niall McMorrow 0-01
Scorers for Waterford:
Pauric Mahony 0-12 (0-10f)
Stephen Bennett 2-02
Austin Gleeson 0-02
Kevin Moran 0-02
Maurice Shanahan 0-01
Dublin:
1. Conor Dooley
2. James Madden
3. Eoghan O’Donnell
4. Shane Barrett
5. Ben Quinn
6. Liam Rushe
7. Chris Crummey
8. Niall McMorrow
9. Caolán Conway
10. Rian McBride
14. Eamon Dillon
12. Eoghan Conroy
13. Fiontán Mac Gib
11. Ryan O’Dwyer
15. Donal Burke
Substitutes:
2nd Half
Cian Boland for Caolán Conway
Cian MacGabhann for James Madden
Chris Bennett for Eoghan Conroy
Cian O’Sullivan for Ben Quinn
Fionn Ó Riain-Broin for Shane Barrett
Waterford:
1. Ian O’Regan
2. Shane Fives
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Noel Connors
9. Conor Gleeson
5. Tadhg de Burca
7. Stephen Daniels
8. Jamie Barron
10. Kevin Moran
6. Austin Gleeson
11. Pauric Mahony
12. Michael Walsh
13. Patrick Curran
14. Stephen Bennett
15. Shane Bennett
Substitutes:
2nd Half:
Maurice Shanahan for Patrick Curran
Mikey Kearney for Jamie Barron
Brian O’Halloran for Shane Bennett
Jake Dillon for Stephen Bennett
Darragh Lyons for Conor Gleeson