Aisling Maher lights up Parnell Park as Dublin see off Limerick challenge

The waves at Sandymount were jumping as high as Dawn Run.

Over the toll bridge in Donnycarney, Dublin were at home to Limerick in Division 1B of the Very National Camogie League.

As they were saying across the water for Liverpool and City, this was a six-pointer.

Limerick had won two from two. Dublin had lost to Wexford away but had beaten Kerry in Tralee.

On the Dublin Camogie Facebook Page, the Blues’ skipper, Aisling Maher, had asked for a big Dublin support.

The weather didn’t help. All was quiet at Clontarf Golf Club. Shane Lowry was enjoying a warmer climate in Florida.

Yet, earlier in the day, Ken Doherty was on Sunshine Radio saying it was raining in Dubai.

The faithful at Parnell Park made sure to sit well back in the stand as the wind rattled the flag-poles.

Limerick had arrived on the Griffins Coach. They are managed by the two-time All-Star Limerick goalkeeper, Joe Quaid.

They were all in green. A couple of weeks previously, their hurlers had made hay in Croke Park.

And they ensured Dublin would have nothing cheap last Saturday. Limerick got in several early blocks as the Dubs attacked the church end.

Yet, by the finish, Dublin had won, 1-14 to 0-9. Thanks to a most assured display.

They were hungry. They were swift and sharp. Scores came from all over the building.

Bill McCormack is the Dublin coach. He’s from Thurles. He’s a goalkeeper. He plays senior hurling for St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh.

Dublin’s goalie, Amy Gorman, had hardly a shot to save. That was down to diligent defending.

The hosts set the tempo in the first seconds when Abby Ryan burst out from the back like she was running to catch the last bus.

Aisling Maher played at centre half-back. She was the Lighthouse Keeper who saw every ship before it came over the horizon.

In the past, the number 11 shirt has been a comfortable fit. But her move to the number six jersey is working a treat.

“We have been concentrating on a few switches,” explained Bill. “Ash is doing very well.

“Her delivery is phenomenal. She reads the play so well. She brings a commanding presence to the position.

“She is a fantastic leader. All the players rally around her. She excels at marshalling things from the back.”

Midfielders, Niamh Gannon and Gaby Couch, put in the hard yards.

In attack, Aoife McKearney again flourished. She struck six points from play. Her strike just before the break was covered in strawberry jam.

“Aoife is doing brilliantly,” noted Bill. “This is her debut season and we are very pleased with her.

“We got a nice spread of scores. It’s encouraging to see such a variety of scorers.

“We were second best to Wexford the first day. We knew we had to go back to the drawing board after that.

“We had to show improvement. And thankfully we did that against Kerry and again now against Limerick.

“We’ll now focus on Down away on March 23. It will be all about delivering another good performance.”

At the club milks, Dublin led 1-8 to 0-2, having also hit the upper post twice.

A highlight of the first half was a catch by Aisling O’Neill. Stretching to the ceiling to clutch the white sliotar.

She got the goal in the 22nd minute. A low, crisp strike to the right-hand corner.

During the interval, the pitch was covered with mini-games. It was a fabulous sight.

The little ones didn’t feel the cold. Or worry about the grey clouds. All they saw was the ball.

The floodlights were on for the second period. Limerick had the elements. But the Dubs had the resolve.

Limerick’s top teller was their full-forward, Caoimhe Costello. She hit six scores, five of them frees.

On one occasion from the dead ball, deep in the second half, she went for a goal, but the city shutters quickly came down.

Caoimhe is a fine artist. She plays for Adare. One of the prettiest villages in Ireland.

Limerick did enjoy more possession on the restart, but the Dubs always managed to keep their distance. Ticking on the scores.

In the opening half, Grace O’Shea and Orla Gray had contributed to the kitty.

And late on, a pearl of a point from O’Neill, and another elegant finish from McKearney, enhanced Dublin’s work.

The players stayed on the pitch for an age afterwards. Signing jerseys, helmets and hurls. And posing for selfies.

The children’s faces said it all.

Two little girls were taking shots down at the pavilion-end goal.

Their mother was rushing to watch the rugby. But the kids were in no hurry to leave.

She said it was their first time in Parnell Park.

It won’t be their last.