Dublin started 2012 with a convincing 0-17 to 0-10 win over plucky Carlow at Dr Cullen Park.

Few cobwebs were evident from the long winter lay-off as the All-Ireland champions looked sharp and competitive in the opening exchanges, leading by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. The losers also looked decent.

Carlow generously formed a guard of honour for the Sam Maguire holders before the match but their generosity ended there as they provided their illustrious visitors with a stern test. They were on terms with just over 15 minutes remaining and were only undone when the Dubs lifted their game to reel off eight consecutive points.

Ageless 2011 All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen struck the only point of the opening eight minutes.

Miceal McCarthy registered the Metropolitans' second point and Pat Gilroy's men were in complete control early on. They could have been further ahead but for a few disappointing wides.

The excellent Michael Darragh Macauley's 17th-minute point made it 0-5 to 0-2 and the big midfielder really caught the eye before the break. McCarthy got the sixth Dublin point.

Brendan Murphy and Daniel St Ledger knocked over early points for the hosts and Murphy landed the closing score of the first half.

Amazingly, Carlow drew level at 0-7 each soon after the restart and a shock looked possible...

Paul Brogan was involved in setting up Diarmuid Connolly for the first score after the restart before substitute Derek Hayden, St Ledger and Murphy helped Luke Dempsey's men back to 0-7 apiece.

And it was 0-9 each with 15 minutes left.

But, sensing danger, the Dubs - who were notoriously strong finishers throughout 2011 - pulled away to win comfortably.

Macauley, superb substitute Mossie Quinn (who top-scored with five points despite only coming on in the second half) and Connolly led the way as the All-Ireland champions finished impressively.

Dublin - S Supple; C O'Sullivan, M Fitzsimons, D Daly; K Connolly, G Brennan, D Byrne; MD Macauley (0-1), R McConnell (0-1); D Lally, M McCarthy (0-4), P Brogan; P Andrews, B Cullen (0-1), D Connolly (0-3). Subs: J Small for Brennan, T Quinn (0-5) for Lally, E Fennell (0-1) for Macauley, R Corcoran (0-1) for Andrews.

Carlow - T O'Reilly; BJ Molloy, C Lawlor, G Nolan; B Lambe, T Bolger, B Kavanagh; Brendan Murphy (0-3), D Foley (0-2); Brian Murphy (0-1), C Murphy (0-1), E Finnegan; P Reid, C Coughlan, D St Ledger (0-2). Subs: D Hayden (0-1) for Reid, D Mulvaney for Nolan, C Mullins for C Murphy, E Ruth for Finnegan, C Walshe for Brian Murphy.

Ref - A Nolan (Wicklow). Tweet

Most Read Stories