O'Byrne Cup - Dublin 0-06 Wicklow 0-09

Dublin 0-06 Wicklow 0-09

Dublin's stranglehold on the O'Byrne Cup ended in poor playing conditions in Parnell Park on Sunday. Jim Gavin's team comprising many from the U21 panel and supplemented by a small number of those involved in last weeks team against Offaly took the field and will rue a host of missed chances, particularly in the 2nd half.

Wicklow were strongest in the 1st period taking a 3 point lead at half time with Dublin seeing a series of attempts drop short or drift wide, an experience which would become even worse in the 2nd 35.  Over the 1st half John O'Brien, Darren Daly and captain Gary O'Connell played well but many others struggled in the difficult conditions. Given the tricky pitch & weather it was somewhat surprising to see Bernard Brogan enter the fray 10 minutes before the end of the 1st half and even his class could not pull Dublin close enough.

Dublin dominated the 2nd half without getting an appropriate return and when Wicklow opened up  5 point lead it looked as if the mountainy men would certainly prevail.  Brogan's class shone through and after a great move saw his shot miss narrowly.  Minutes later the luck of the Dubs was apparent when another great shot from ernard rebounded off the upright with the keeper stranded.

Dublin pressed on and Dean Rock kicked a few frees to keep the game honest but it wasn't to be and O'Byrne now leaves Parnell Park after a 2 year stay.

It was a good work out for the U21s and will give Jim gavin food for thought. The availability of Crokes players and the return of others away with colleges will strengthen the U211 team.  Up front work is needed for the Dubs to progress as the amount of missed opportunities if experienced again will see defeat. But with such talent as that available from Rock & co. one hopes this will not be a problem.

For Pat Gilroy a number of players have impressed over the past 2 games. To a greater or lesser extent Darren Daly, Declan Lally, Philip McMahon, Declan O'Mahony, John O'Brien, Nesty  and Derek Byrne were among some did their senior cause no harm.

Dublin - D McDonnell, C Moore, G O’Connell, D Daly, J Cooper, C Deasy (N Devereux (45)), D Lally, D O’Mahony, J Sheanon (0-01) (James O'Connor (Thomas Davis (40) (B Kirby (50))), J O’Brien (0-01), C Morley (N Collins (45)), D Kelly (Derek Byrne (55) (0-01)), T Furman, D Rock (0-03), C Carthy (Bernard Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (25)). 

Wicklow - M Travers, C Hyland, S Kelly, A Byrne, L Glynn, E Keogh, P McWalter, P Brophy, T Hannon (0-05) (F Clune (70)), A McLoughlin, 

J McGrath, D Hayden (0-01), D Odlum (D Siney (10)), P Earls (0-01), J Kinch (0-02).