First-half goals from Jennifer Dunne and Siobhan Killeen helped Dublin get their TG4 All Ireland Championship defence off to a winning start
Dublin 2-18
Tyrone 1-11
By Aisling Clery
First-half goals from Jennifer Dunne and Siobhan Killeen proved crucial as Dublin opened their TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship defence with a convincing win against Tyrone in Kingspan Breffni.
Hannah Tyrrell continued her good scoring form for the reigning champions as she kicked seven points over the hour, while Niamh O’Neill was in scintillating form for Tyrone, registering nine scores of her own in defeat.
Tyrone delivered a very impressive opening quarter and deservedly led Mick Bohan’s side, but Dublin upped the gears after the water break and didn’t look back as they eased to victory.
Supporters did not have to wait long for a score, Tyrrell opening her championship account in the opening minute.
The sides were level a minute later with Chloe McCaffrey converting a free, while Tyrone’s direct running at the Dublin defence caused problems early on and O’Neill converted a brace of frees.
Captain Sinead Aherne pulled one back for the champions but they were rocked in the 13th minute when McCaffrey rattled the net, burying the ball in the left corner past the outstretched arm of Ciara Trant.
With both sides taking a defensive approach, scores were limited but a Lucy Collins point before the water break showcased Dublin’s teamwork and patience with Tyrrell leading the Dublin attack.
Aherne and O’Neill exchanged frees after the water break before Tyrone’s O’Neill converted two, either side of a Caoimhe O’Connor point.
But Dublin finished the half with aplomb. Dunne levelled the game, smashing the ball to the net after a terrific set up by O’Connor, while O’Neill and Tyrrell swapped scores before a Tyrrell free edged the Dubs in front.
As half time approached, Dublin bagged their second goal. O’Connor won a kickout and quick exchanges in the Dublin attack were finished to the net by Killeen. However, O’Neill converted a free on the stroke of half time to leave just three between the sides at the break.
Dublin emerged after half time and dominated the third quarter. Tyrrell converted her fourth free before Killeen and Niamh McEvoy both pointed, alongside scores from Dunne and O’Connor, all achieved while holding Tyrone scoreless.
Dublin were awarded a penalty when Dunne was fouled but McEvoy’s spot kick was well saved by Tyrone goalkeeper Maeve Maxwell.
In the final quarter, Niamh Hughes and Niamh O’Neill added to Tyrone’s tally, but the final moments were all Dublin as they eased to a facile victory.
Dublin Scorers
Hannah Tyrell 0-07 (5f)
Siobhan Killeen 1-02
Jennifer Dunne 1-01
Sinead Aherne 0-02 (1f)
Caoimhe O’Connor 0-02
Niamh McEvoy 0-02
Lucy Collins 0-01
Lyndsey Davey 0-01
Tyrone Scorers
Niamh O’Neill 0-09 (6f)
Chloe McCaffery 1-01 (1f)
Niamh Hughes 0-01
Dublin
1. Ciara Trant
2. Laura McGinley
3. Martha Byrne
4. Hannah Leahy
5. Leah Caffrey
6. Olwen Carey
7. Lucy Collins
8. Jennifer Dunne
9. Lauren Magee
10. Hannah Tyrell
11. Niamh McEvoy
18. Sinead Aherne
13. Caoimhe O’Connor
14. Niamh Hetherton
15. Siobhán Killeen
Dublin Substitutions
21. Kate Sullivan for Laura McGinley (HT)
28. Siobhan McGrath for Lucy Collins (HT)
19. Lyndsey Davey for Sinead Aherne (39)
20. Nicole Owens for Niamh Hetherton (46)
23. Michelle Daveron for Lauren Magee (47)
Tyrone
1. Maeve Maxwell
2. Megan Kerr
3. Tori Mclaughin
4. Emma Mulgrew
5. Emma Brennan
20. Emma Hegarty
7. Dearbhaile Gallagher
8. Aiobhinn McHugh
27. Jayne Lyons
10. Niamh Hughes
17. Joanne Barrett
28. Regan Fay
13. Niamh O’Neill
14. Grainne Rafferty
15. Chloe McCaffery
Tyrone Substitutions
24. Christiane Hunter for Megan Kerr (19)
18. Grainne McKenna for Emma Mulgrew (39)
9. Emma Jane Gervin for Regan Fay (44)
23. Neamh Woods for Emma Brennan (48)