KEVINS got the new season off to a winning start when they survived a poor start to secure a brilliant Dublin MHL Division 2 victory over Naomh Barróg in a highly entertaining duel at Dolphin Park on Sunday morning.

Barróg will feel aggrieved that they did not come away with a positive result as they dominated for long periods but missed a host of chances, especially in the final quarter.

The Kilbarrack men were the first to settle and raced into a three-point lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Dean Flood scored two frees that sandwiched a long-ranged effort by Adam Rooney.

Dictated

Rooney in particular was leading the Barróg charge as he dictated the tempo of the game from his centre-forward berth.

However, his side failed to capitalise on their possession and, with nearly their first attack of the game, Kevins drew level.

Wing-forward Alex Quinn, who was a thorn in his opponent's side all afternoon, picked the ball up 40 metres from his opponents' goal before embarking on a brilliant run which cut through the Barróg defence. He then applied the perfect finish when he crashed an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.

The goal did not change the pattern of the game, however, as the winners only added a solitary point to their score before the break through a Graham Harrington free.

Barróg, on the other hand, raised the intensity of their game another gear and two further points by Flood ensured his side went in leading at the half-time whistle, 0-6 to 1-1. Amazingly, despite their territorial dominance only Adam Rooney managed to score from play for Barróg in the first half.

The second half started in explosive fashion with a glut of goals in the opening five minutes.

Firstly, man of the match Harrington sent a 20-metre free to the back of the net via a cruel deflection off a Barróg defender.

Barróg hit back instantly when midfielder Jamie Lynch, who was now operating in the full-forward line, dispatched a powerful shot off the post and into the net.

It didn't stop there as there was yet another green flag raised, and, once again, it was for the southsiders.

A flowing move downfield ended up with half-back Gareth Mahon ghosting in behind the defence and he made no mistake as he found the bottom left corner of Adam McGrane's net.

Kevins would not relinquish their lead with Mahon's goal proving to be a perfect tonic as they moved up through the gears and established a dominance which would eventually see them over the line in this their opening game of the season's minor hurling league. Harrington again displayed his prowess from the dead ball, and one 65 was a particularly memorable effort from wide out towards the touchline.

Quinn also scored a beauty and his tireless running made him the perfect man to relieve the pressure which was mounting on his defence in the closing 15 minutes. The drama wasn't over yet as the game took yet another twist when Barróg full-forward Keith McCabe poked in a loose ball after a goalmouth scramble. It meant that there was only the minimum between the sides with five minutes remaining and set up a grandstand finish.

Flood went close from two frees and also saw an effort from play go inches wide as the Kevins defence held firm and ensured they would hang on for a great victory.

- Diarmuid Geraghty