A trio of goals proved key for Dublin as they began their defence of their Lidl Ladies Football League Division 1 title with a 12-point win over Waterford in Dungarvan this afternoon.

Mick Bohan's charges were well in command in the opening half, and led by 2-3 to 0-1 at the break, thanks to goals from Jennifer Dunne and Caoimhe O'Connor - the latter coming in first half injury time.

Waterford tried hard on the restart, but Siobhán Killeen's lobbed effort saw Dublin 11 points clear nine minutes into the second half.

Emma Murray grabbed a goal for the hosts, and although Dublin keeper Abby Shiels was sin-binned in the 49th minute, the Jackies stayed in control.

Hannah Leahy rounded off the victory, with their fourth goal deep into injury-time.

Dublin were on top in the early exchanges and Hannah Tyrrell landed their first score on three minutes. Waterford tested out the Dublin defence with Emma Murray and Aisling Mullaney trying to make the most of their chances but the scores came up the other end.

Dublin’s first goal arrived after eight minutes with a sweeping team move finished to the net by Jennifer Dunne. And Kate Sullivan was unlucky to see her effort drop into the arms of Eimear Gallagher in the Waterford goals a minute later.

Leah Caffrey and Orlagh Nolan both scored points to leave Dublin with a 1-3 to 0-0 lead at the water break. Waterford enjoyed more of the possession in the second quarter and were duly rewarded when Brid McMaugh scored from distance.

Dublin’s response was immediate in the shape of their second goal. Tyrrell won possession and her offload freed O’Connor who found the net. That goal gave Dublin a 2-3 to 0-1 advantage at the interval.

The hosts controlled much of the third quarter. Katie Murray grabbed their second score but this was cancelled out minutes later by a fine O’Connor point. Then substitute Siobhan Killeen left her mark on the game when she chipped Gallagher for Dublin’s third goal.

Waterford’s pressure eventually told when Emma Murray scored a goal just before the second half water break, making it an eight-point game, at 3-4 to 1-2.

Dublin were reduced to 14 players when Shiels was shown a yellow card but it didn’t swing the game in Waterford’s favour. They did score through Lauren McGregor and Brid McMaugh, but Dublin finished the stronger with Tyrrell, Siobhan Woods and Hannah Leahy all finding their range to ensure the reigning champions opened their 2022 account with a comfortable win.