Gaelic Games Challenge matchDublin 5-11 Louth 0-10Dual beginnings in Dublin last night as new football manager Paul Caffrey sent his first selection out to play under the bright lights of the city.
Judging by the decent attendance which showed up in Parnell Park, the floodlights will entice those who would normally save their match-going until the summer and Croke Park days come around.
The charity match, in aid of St Vincent De Paul and Raheny Hospice, never really hit the heights that will be expected post-Christmas, but Dublin were never unduly troubled by their neighbours.
There is little to gauge about a team's future in December, but a couple of hints about how the Age of Pillar may progress were revealed.
"I'm a very proud Dublin man," said Caffrey afterwards. "I didn't win too many honours when I was playing at minor, under-21 and senior, but it's a huge honour and there is a big challenge ahead. I'm very happy with the team I have surrounded myself with. I will do what I think is best for Dublin football.
"I think the lights are absolutely fantastic, easily the best lights I've seen. It adds to a great atmosphere; night games are definitely the way forward for the GAA," he added.
For starters, it looks like Shane Ryan will have a more central role in Caffrey's thinking. The problem with Ryan under the previous manager was where he would be picked. Was he a back, or a forward? He ended up sitting on the bench.
Last evening he played in midfield and gave off an aura of composure and authority when on the ball. Just wait until he's fit.
Significantly, Paddy Christie captained the team. Perhaps another hint at the future.
Ronan Fallon, a hurler by trade, was selected at centre back, and the young St Vincent's man seems like one for further down the road, though in which code is unclear.
David Henry may be one for the now, though, after he showed up well at wing forward, as did the evergreen and ever reliable Senan Connell.
But it was the ghost of Christmas past, Robbie Boyle, who had a hand in every goal. He collected the first sizeable cheer under lights for creasing Ronan Carroll, and the second soon followed when he blazed a point over after fielding well near the endline.
Boyle then took some of the plaudits for the only goal of the first half as he palmed Niall Cooper's skyscraper into the path of Declan Lally, who slid the ball to the net. It was 1-4 to 0-2 at the interval.
Boyle continued to influence proceedings with a point and another assist for Dublin's second goal, ably converted by Mossie Quinn from point-blank range.
Quinn then calmly claimed two more goals before the finish to complete his hat-trick and overshadow some poor free-taking, while Shane Smith from the Thomas Davis club made a late entry to leave his mark with 1-2.
A lot of December football evident, but plenty food for thought.
DUBLIN: J Leonard; A Downes, P Christie, C Goggins; N Cooper (0-1), R Fallon, P Andrews; S Ryan, J McNally; D Henry (0-1), D Lally (1-0), S Connell; T Quinn (3-3, 1f), R Boyle (0-2), J Noonan. Subs: C McGuinness (0-1) for J Noonan (24 mins), D Bastic for J McNally (half-time), S McCann (0-1) for D Henry, S O'Sullivan for C Goggins (both 44 mins), S Smith (1-2) for S Connell (53 mins), G Connell for N Cooper (55 mins), S Cluxton for J Leonard (61 mins), M Moffatt for S Ryan (67 mins).
LOUTH: S Connor; A Hoey, C Golf, J Carr; G Long, O Zamboglou, C Kearney; D Devenney, D Hughes; R Valentine (0-2), D Clarke (0-2, 1f), N Sharkey (0-2); R Carroll, P Matthews (0-2), M Stanfield. Subs: S Lennon (0-1) for N Sharkey, J Neary for Gavin Long (both 50 mins), Alan McCarthy for R Valentine (53 mins), R Kelly for D Clarke (55 mins), K White (0-1) for O Zamboglou, R Rooney for M Stanfield (both 57 mins).
Referee: S McCormack (Meath).
