In conditions more familiar to General Haig, Michael O'Grady sent his Dublin hurling team over the top in the opening Blue Stars match in Marino. As someone with more precise uses for his men than the strategists of World War One, he will have been unhappy at the terrible waste of possession and scoring chances that allowed the Blue Stars back into the match for a draw.

It was a solid recovery by the invitation team in wretched conditions and showcased a fine contribution of six points (out of a total of 0-7) from young Tomas McGrane, whose accuracy from both the placed ball and general play was the most significant influence on the county team being caught by the final whistle.

In fact, but for an isolated goal in the 37th minute and some disciplined defending - exemplified by Derek McMullan's calm clearances and the unflappability of Conor Cantwell in goal - Dublin might have lost the match as the second half was territorially dominated by the Blue Stars.

Both teams made a couple of changes before the throw-in and although Dublin showed greater disruption with half the selected attack replaced, they got off to the better start. Playing with a strong wind which drove the pelting rain before its violent gusts, the county team put a goal on the scoreboard in the fifth minute.

Full forward Kevin Donoghue who was a sore vexation to the Blue Stars full back line for the first half in particular, broke the cover and sent the ball back across the face of the goal for late call-up Shane Dalton to snap up the first score of the afternoon.

He added a point before Conor McCann, who was flying by now, took over for a brief scoring cameo from the right wing which left Dublin 1-3 to no score ahead after 10 minutes. He had the killing of the match seven minutes later when another of his rampaging runs opened up the opposition but in going for the goal to the exclusion of some better options, he drove the ball narrowly wide.

The Faughs player then kickstarted the move that led to the second goal when dropping a ball in on Brendan McLoughlin who fumbled in the treacherous conditions. Kevin Flynn did the rest and Dublin had reached the zenith of their afternoon's superiority, at 2-4 to 0-1. They were to add only 1-1 during the rest of the afternoon.

Three unanswered points brought the Blue Stars back into contention but minutes after they trimmed a further point off the deficit just on the restart, Emmet Carroll soloed dreamily through the Blue Stars defence and whipped in a third goal which left the county team in a very strong position.

McGrane's crusade to dismantle the lead gathered pace and together with a well-worked goal by second-half substitute Eamonn Morrissey, who was sent clear by a neat flick from Niall Butler, the wing forward helped generate the unanswered 1-4 which all but closed the gap.

A further brace of points from McGrane and substitute Ger Ennis did the rest and left Dublin grateful that Simon Byrne had snatched one against the run of play.

Blue Stars: B McLoughlin; S Duignan, P Pringle, S Power; D McLoughlin, D Finn, S Moore; J Brennan, C Ring; P Donoghue (0-1), B O'Brien (0-1), T McGrane (0-7, four frees); N Butler, C Fetherston (0-1), D Donnelly. Subs: J Morris for Donoghue, P Brady for Power, J Finnegan for Moore, E Morrissey (1- 0) for Donnelly, G Ennis (0-1) for Fetherstone, J McGuirk for O'Brien.

Dublin: C Cantwell; P Daly, D McMullan, A Flynn; L Donoghue, P Harney, D Benham; D Sweeney, S Byrne (0-1); C McCann (0-2), L Keogh (0-1), S Dalton (1-1); E Carroll (1-0), K Donoghue, K Flynn (1-0).

Referee: W Maloney.