Dublin captain Carla Rowe scored 3-6 as a ruthless Dublin side swept aside Cavan at Kingspan Breffni to record their first win of this year’s TG4 All-Ireland SFC. 

Rowe also missed a second half penalty after substitute Sinead Aherne was taken down in the 58th minute. 

Cavan put it up to Dublin in the early exchanges and the sides were level twice in the opening seven minutes. Points from Jennifer Dunne and Hannah Tyrrell saw Dublin go two up in the 14th minute. One minute later Aisling Gilsenan’s free hit the crossbar.  

A good move from the Dubs saw them get their first goal in the 18th minute. Tyrrell played the ball across the face of the goal and Eilish O’Dowd finished to the net. Dublin got a run on Cavan and in the 25th minute had extended their lead to seven points. 

Aishling Sheridan fired over an excellent point for Cavan in the 25th minute and minutes later her sister Geraldine played the ball to Gilsenan but she hit her effort well wide. 

Dublin were dangerous on the attack and at times opened the Cavan defence up with ease. Just before the break they got a second goal; Rowe played a one-two with Tyrrell before firing to the net to extend the lead to 12 points at 2-9 to 0-3. 

As the rain lashed down in the second half, Cavan grabbed a goal in the 32nd minute. Aishling Sheridan spotted her sister Geraldine as she took a quick free, Geraldine raced through before raising the green flag. 

Dublin’s reply was two Rowe frees before Aishling Sheridan hit a powerful effort over the bar. Mick Bohan’s charges got a third goal in the 40th minute; Rowe with an excellent shot for her second of the game. 

Niamh Hetherton scored a fantastic fourth goal for Dublin as they were clinical in front of the posts. Right at the end Rowe grabbed her third of the game and Dublin’s fifth as they ran out comfortable winners.