O'Callaghan off to fast start as Dublin down Limerick

Dublin made easy pickings of Division 2 newcomers Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday evening to keep the pressure on League leaders Derry and Meath thanks to a compressive nine-point win on Shannonside.

In a one-sided affair, Dublin's starting full forward line starred, with Ross McGarry, Dean Rock and Con O’Callaghan scoring 1-13 between them – 1-9 of which came in the opening half alone, all in front of 3,670 in attendance.

It was Dublin who led by a more than comfortable 13 points at half-time - 2-12 to 0-5, a winning margin that was reduced to nine points by the time Galway referee James Molloy called a halt to proceedings thanks to an impressive third quarter performance from the hosts.

In what was the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 2007, Dublin corner back Greg McEneaney coolly slotted over the game’s opening point after just 52 seconds – a sign of things to come.

The Dubs were 0-4 to 0-1 to the good after 10 minutes thanks to scores from McEneaney, Dean Rock (two frees), and Ross McGarry with Cian Sheehan getting Limerick off the mark in the seventh minute.

This was just Dublin’s third-ever visit to Limerick for a competitive senior football game. Previously, both sides played a league clash in Askeaton in March 1993, the Sky Blues emerging 0-15 to 0-9 winners, before the Dubs narrowly overcame the Shannonsiders by 0-14 to 1-10 in the Gaelic Grounds in February 2007.

The game in 2007 was Diarmuid Connolly’s second ever league game for Dublin after making his debut the week before against Tyrone.

Croke Park hosted another novel meeting in 1973.

After a blistering start, Dublin opened up a nine-point advantage by the 20th minute when Dean Rock coolly slotted home a penalty midway through the