New Dublin hurling manager, Anthony Daly, has named the first team of his managerial reign for the annual meeting with the Evening Herald / Dublin Bus Dubs Stars Selection in Naomh Barróg on New Year’s Day at 12.30pm.
Alan McCrabbe (Craobh Chiaráin) is a notable inclusion in the team alongside Stuart Mullen (St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER) at midfield. The Craobh Chiarán player’s return to the inter-county scene will be a major boost for the new management team
Shane Martin (Crumlin) and Damien Russell (St Vincent’s) are also set to return to the fold at right half forward and full forward respectively. Balyboden’s Tim Sweeney is selected at centre back. All three lined out for the Dublin intermediate side beaten by eventuual All Ireland winners, Kilkenny, in the Leinster championship.
Liam Rushe (St Pat’s) is handed a debut at senior level as the former Dublin minor is selected at corner forward. Daly can also rely on the experienced regular players such as Philip Brennan, Kevin Ryan, Stephen Hiney, Michael Carton, Declan O Dwyer, John Kelly and Peadar Carton.
There is also plenty of experience on the bench and Daly will be able to call on players of the calibre of Ger O Meara, Derek O Reilly, Joey Boland, Tomás Brady,and Keith Elliot. In addition, promising young players David Treacy (Cuala) and Rory O Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes) may be called into action as the new management team are set to use as many players as possible to famialiarise themselves with their new charges.
The Dubs Stars selection will also feature a number of senior inter-county regulars such as Niall Corcoran, Johnny McCaffrey, Shane Durkin, Darren Whelan, Paul Ryan, David O Callaghan, Rurai Trainor, Tommy Somers, Ross O Carroll and Cathal Billings.
The team to face the Evening Herald / Dublin Bus Dubs Stars is:
1. A Nolan (St Brigid’s), 2. P Brennan (O Tooles), 3. K Ryan (O Tooles), 4. O Gough (Cuala), 5. S Hiney (Ballyboden St Endas), 6. T Sweeney (Ballyboden St Endas), 7. M Carton (O Tooles), 8. A McCrabbe ( Cr Chiaráin), 9. S Mullen (St Oliver Plunketts / ER), 10. S Martin (Crumlin), 11. D O Dwyer (N Olaf), 12. J Kelly (St Mark’s), 13. P Carton (O Tooles), 14. D Russell (St Vincent’s), 15. L Rushe (St Pat’s). SUBS: D Treacy (Cuala), G O Meara (O Tooles), D O’Reilly (Cr Chiaráin), Rory O Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes), P Garbutt (N Barróg), E McCabe (N Barróg), J Boland (Na Fianna), K Elliot (Cr Chiaráin), P Kelly (Lucan Sarsfields), S Lambert (Ballyboden St Endas), K O Reilly (Lucan Sarsfields), L Ryan (O Tooles)