Signs of comfort for Morris

Blue Stars ... 4-18 Dublin ... 2-15As the first public outing since his recent appointment as Dublin hurling manager, Marty Morris clearly didn't get the result he would have desired from yesterday's Blue Stars challenge, yet such a slick and strong-paced game of hurling was always going to be more important to his long-term ambitions.

The Blue Stars selection deprived Dublin of most of their finest players (and were coached by Marty's brother Joey), so in truth this was nothing more than a very well-organised trial match.

From that point of view, Morris couldn't have come away happier.

"I would take many positive things from this game," he said afterwards. "We weren't worried about the result, because that was as strong a Blue Stars team as you can have. And all the players acquitted themselves very well.

"We've also had three training sessions already over Christmas and had 34 players at each one. That's a full turn out, and I'm delighted with that. We've got out fourth selector now as well in Nicky Kehoe (St Finbar's), so we're all looking forward now to working as a team over the coming year."

Certainly the scoring-rate from both sides was impressive - despite the slippery conditions. The Blue Stars full forward line was particularly creative, with Fergal Armstrong and Kevin Flynn both contributing handsomely in the opening half.

Dublin often struggled to find scores and their opening goal on 17 minutes came courtesy of a Blue Stars blunder. While Dave Donnelly was on the prowl for a goal, Liam Donohue helped spill the ball into his own net, and so Dublin led 1-3 to 0-4.

Though the Blue Stars still scored at a higher rate (including a long-range effort from the teenage Michael Carton), a goal from Thomas Holden shortly before the break kept Dublin in touch, and they turned around trailing by just one point - 1-10 to 2-6.

From then on, however, it was Blue Stars dominance, with Brendan McLoughlin (usually the Dublin goalkeeper) working well at midfield, and defender Derek O'Reilly and substitute Keith Horgan claiming further goals.

Morris was at least able to witness several consistent performances in his own team, including Dave Donnelly and Shane Martin.

BLUE STARS: K McLoughlin; S Daly, L Donohue (o.g), A Ryan; D O'Reilly (1-0), K Wilson, F Kelly; B McLoughlin (0-2, one free, one 65), S McDonnell (0-5); M Carton (0-1), C Ring, C Keaney (0-2, both frees); F Armstrong (0-3), L Ryan (1-1), K Flynn (1-2). Subs: T O'Mahony for K McLoughlin, K Ryan for Donohue, G Flanagan (0-1) for Ring, K Horgan (1-1) for Armstrong (all half time), N Paget for Carton (39 mins), Armstrong for B McLoughlin (60).

DUBLIN: P Dempsey; C O'Brien, J Cullen, I Franzoni; R Fallon (0-2, one free, one 65), A Browne, S Hiney; J McGuirk, C Meehan; P Brennan, S Martin (0-4, one 65), S O'Shea (0-1); T Holden (1-0), C Wilson, D Donnelly (0-4, two frees). Subs: P McAvinue (0-2, both frees) for Franzoni (half time), T Moore for O'Shea, E Dunne (0-2) for Holden (both 40 mins).

Referee: P Tobin (St Vincent's)