Ger Cunningham’s tenure as Dublin Senior Hurling manager got off to a winning start as his side claimed a 17-point win over DIT tonight in the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup at Parnell Park

Dublin rarely were troubled under the Donnycarney floodlights, with Eamon Dillon (1-6), Liam Rushe (1-3) and Paul Ryan (0-5) leading the charge.

The hosts raced to 0-7 to 0-1 lead after eight and a half minutes, with Ryan firing three points, while Conal Keaney and Dillon equally sharing the other four early scores.

DIT’s opening score came in the sixth minute, from Willie McGrath, with the Meathman playing his second game in three days, having scored three points from play in the Royals Kehoe Cup win over St Patricks-Mater Dei on Sunday.

DIT relied hugely on the contribution of Westmeath’s Derek McNicholas from placed balls and he scored four of DIT’s next five points, in a spell which saw the students cut the gap to the minimum by the 22nd minute.

Just 0-7 to 0-6 in arrears, DIT failed to drive on as Dublin once again took control.

Rushe and Tipperary’s Justin Cahill swapped scores, before Dublin fired 1-3 unanswered before the break.

Dillon netted a 28th minute goal after a bursting run and a tidy finish, while Niall McMorrow and Keaney added points, to help the hosts on their way to a 1-11 to 0-7 interval lead.

Dillon pushed his side eight points ahead, just 16 seconds after the restart.

Although DIT cut the gap to four points two minutes later, after Wicklow’s Michael Lee bagged their only goal, but Dublin kept motoring.

Cunningham’s charges fired six unanswered points, with Dillon bringing his tally to 1-5 with back-to-back scores.

A brace of McNicholas pointed frees left the gap at eight points in the 51st minute, but responded well.

Liam Rushe netted their second goal to ensure a 2-18 to 1-10 lead in the 51st minute.

Dublin were goal hungry in the final quarter, although Kildare native Paddy McKenna really tried hard between the posts for DIT, with some excellent saves throughout.

DIT were held to just one point in the closing 15 minutes - a late Lee score, as goals from McMorrow and substitute David Treacy putt a firm gloss on this win.

DIT’s interest in the competition has ended, and for Dublin there’s a must win group game against Antrim at Parnell Park on Sunday if they are to advance to the knock-out stages.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; J McCaffrey, M Carton, S Barrett; B Quinn, P Kelly, S Lambert; K Byrne, D Plunkett; C Keaney (0-3), E Dillon (1-6, 1 65), C Boland (0-1); N McMorrow (1-1), L Rushe (1-3), P Ryan (0-5, 1f, 2 65). E O’Donnell for Plunkett (5); Ross O’Carroll for Byrne (54); D Treacy (1-1) for Ryan (57); J Hetherton for Boland (62); F McGibb for Quinn (66).

DIT: P McKenna (Kildare); S Barron (Dublin), B Carey (Clare), S McClelland (Dublin); C Robinson (Dublin), K Bergin (Tipperary), G Whelan (Dublin); C Sheehan (Limerick), J Cahill (Tipperary) (0-1); J Sweeney (Dublin), D McNicholas (Westmeath) (0-8, 6f), A Nugent (Wicklow); M Lee (Wicklow), D Roberts (Carlow), W McGrath (Meath) (0-1). Subs: P O’Reilly (Westmeath) for Barron (58); E Hayes (Offaly) for Nugent (60); J McManus (Dublin) for Carey (65).

REFEREE: Tony Carroll (Offaly)