Carla Rowe hit 2-03 on return to side after injury to help Dublin claim deserved win
Dublin 5-14
Cavan 2-04
By Daire Walsh
Carla Rowe struck 2-3 at her home club of Clann Mhuire as Dublin began their TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Group A campaign with a convincing win over Cavan.
On her return to the starting line-up following a recent injury set-back, Rowe was one of the standout performers for Mick Bohan’s impressive Leinster champions.
Nicole Owens bagged two goals off the bench and with Hannah Tyrrell (0-5) and Sinead Aherne (1-1) also in fine scoring form, Dublin appeared to be in rude health as they seek to reclaim the Brendan Martin Cup.
And while Aisling Gilsenan and Lauren McVeety recorded second half goals, Cavan ultimately fell short.
After Tyrrell and Gilsenan traded early points, Rowe edged Dublin in front with a routine free.
Despite playing against a stiff breeze, Kate Sullivan scored and Rowe fired past Elaine Walsh for the opening goal of the game after the first-quarter mark.
The Dublin joint-captain enhanced her personal haul with a fine score from play before Aherne fisted over from close-range.
Squeezed in between Cavan points courtesy of Niamh Keeneghan and McVeety, Aherne goaled on 21 minutes after Sullivan gave the assist.
Tyrrell also scored a free to ensure Dublin brought a convincing 2-6 to 0-3 lead into the break.
They increased their advantage with unanswered points from Tyrrell and Caoimhe O’Connor on the resumption, but Cavan responded with a superbly-taken goal by Gilsenan on 36 minutes.
However, this only offered a brief respite as Rowe capitalised on excellent build-up play from Sinéad Goldrick, Aherne and Tyrrell to grab her second goal.
Dublin were relentless and, introduced to the fray just shy of the third-quarter mark, Owens scored goals in the 46th and 53rd minutes.
Niamh Hetherton also added her name to the scoresheet to supplement two points by Lyndsey Davey.
And although it was a difficult day at the office, McVeety’s late converted penalty will offer Cavan some solace.
Dublin Scorers
11. Carla Rowe 2-03 (1f)
19. Nicole Owens 2-00
14. Hannah Tyrrell 0-05 (1f)
15. Sinead Aherne 1-01
13. Lyndsey Davey 0-02
12. Kate Sullivan 0-01
10. Caoimhe O’Connor 0-01
28. Niamh Hetherton 0-01
Cavan Scorers
11. Lauren McVeety 1-02 (1-00 pen, 1f)
15. Aisling Gilsenan 1-01 (1f)
10. Niamh Keenaghan 0-01
Dublin
1. Ciara Trant
2. Jess Tobin
3. Leah Caffrey
4. Niamh Collins
18. Orlagh Nolan
6. Martha Byrne
7. Sinead Goldrick
8. Lauren Magee
9. Kate McDaid
10. Caoimhe O’Connor
11. Carla Rowe
12. Kate Sullivan
13. Lyndsey Davey
14. Hannah Tyrrell
15. Sinead Aherne
Dublin Substitutions
17. Hannah Leahy for 6. Martha Byrne (HT)
28. Niamh Hetherton for 12. Kate Sullivan (42)
30. Tammy Quinn Corbally for 9. Kate McDaid (42)
19. Nicole Owens for 10. Caoimhe O’Connor (42)
25. Jodi Egan for 13. Lyndsey Davey (49)
Cavan
1. Elaine Walsh
2. Kate McIntyre
3. Shauna Lynch
4. Erin Longair
5. Sinead Greene
6. Laura Fitzpatrick
7. Mona Sheridan
8. Neasa Byrd
9. Annie Deneher
10. Niamh Keenaghan
11. Lauren McVeety
12. Ailsing Walls
13. Geraldine Smith
14. Aine Reilly
15. Aisling Gilsenan
Cavan Substitutions
for 12. Ailsing Walls 18. Ally Cahill (44)
for 13. Geraldine Smith 21. Geraldine Sheridan (44)
for 14. Aine Reilly 22. Kerri McCormack (44)
for 4. Erin Longair 24. Ruth Smyth 60)
for 2. Kate McIntyre 23. Muireann Smith (60)
Ref – G Finnegan (Down).