Dubs begin title defence by swatting away Tyrone

FIRST-HALF goals from Jennifer Dunne and Siobhán Killeen proved crucial as Dublin opened their TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship defence with a convincing win over Tyrone in Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan.

Hannah Tyrrell continued her good scoring form for the reigning champions as she kicked seven points over the hour, while Niamh O’Neill was scintillating for Tyrone, registering nine scores of her own.

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.

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 Sinéad 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 the interval 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.

The Dubs could have stretched further ahead when they were awarded a penalty after Dunne was fouled but McEvoy’s spot kick was well saved by 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.