THE OUTCOME SAW a stunning Dublin victory for the second successive Sunday at Croke Park, this latest one founded on a remarkable finish.
Six points adrift with 13 minutes remaining, Dublin appeared on the verge of a championship exit. A tight and tense contest looked to have swung decisively in Galway’s direction. Captain John Maher slid in to palm the ball to the net in the 55th minute, Shane Walsh’s initial shot had squirmed under the body of Evan Comerford and as the Dublin defence scrambled to clear, Maher got the vital touch.
GOAL GALWAY!
Shane Walsh surges towards the Dublin goal and is denied by Evan Comerford but John Maher is on hand to palm the ball home
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The raising of the green flag had a game-breaking feel to it, propelling Galway 1-20 to 0-17 clear. Yet it swerved off on a different direction from there, Dublin winning the rest of the game 1-8 to 0-1. Next up? Kerry in a July semi-final.
After the concession of the goal, Dublin steadied themselves. Con O’Callaghan knocked over a close-range free, Paddy Small clipped a point with his right foot. O’Callaghan got in on the act from play with his left to trim the gap to three and then came a defining passage of play.
The outstanding Niall Scully delivered a brilliant kick pass to Colm Basquel, who was fouled by Liam Silke as he stepped inside with the intent of a man hunting a goal. Referee David Gough showed a black card to Silke for halting a goalscoring opportunity and O’Callaghan placed the ball on the spot. Connor Gleeson guessed correctly where the Cuala man was directing his shot, diving to his left and getting a hand on the ball, but crucially it looped up and fell over the line.
GOAL DUBLIN!
Con O'Callaghan's penalty squirms over the line and Galway are without Liam Silke until full-time as the corner-back black carded for pulling down Colm Basquel
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The goal drew Dublin level and energised the stadium. Galway did edge narrowly back in front. Shane Walsh’s two-point free struck the upright, Galway had two goalbound efforts blocked in succession, before Walsh scooped up the rebound and fired over a point.
But the momentum was with Dublin, Galway failed to score again and Ger Brennan’s side capitalised on their personnel advantage in the finale. Scully hit a terrific two-pointer to put Dublin in front and Colm Basquel nudged them two clear. The game was made safe from a Dublin perspective when O’Callaghan tapped over a free and substitute Seán Guiden rounded off the scoring to clinch a four-point success.
Dublin boss Ger Brennan celebrates at full-time with his daughter Aoibheann and son Patrick. james lawlor photos
james lawlor photos
Cormac Costello in action against Dylan McHugh. james lawlor photos
james lawlor photos
Pre-match intrigue surrounded potential team changes. Ultimately Dublin remained intact, Con O’Callaghan trotting onto the pitch with number 11 on his back despite speculation over this fitness and catching the eye throughout the half. Stationed close to goal, his sharpness caused a recurring issue for the Galway rearguard in the opening half as he popped over three points from play and drew two fouls for frees that Cormac Costello converted.
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Galway operated without the influential Seán Kelly due to a shoulder injury, but Kieran Molloy raided forward effectively from wing-back in the opening period, scoring three points overall and setting up Paul Conroy for a two-pointer. Finnian Ó Laoi was drafted into the attack for Shane McGrath and registered two points.
The score read 0-14 to 0-13 in Dublin’s favour at the break. Considering it finished 0-17 to 0-16 to Galway in the corresponding fixture two years ago, it was reflective of the relentless early scoring here. By the 42nd minute, Galway enjoyed that exact 0-17 to 0-16 advantage.
Shane Walsh in action for Galway. james lawlor photos
james lawlor photos
Paddy Small and Cormac Costello complimented the contribution of Con, while Robert Finnerty spearheaded Galway’s charge with four points in the first half. Basquel’s influence grew for Dublin, while Cein Darcy was impressive in taking the fight for Galway.
Conroy’s two-pointer left the teams level approaching half-time, before O’Callaghan fisted over the score that nudged Dublin ahead. Galway thrived in the third quarter, moving 0-17 to 0-14 clear, Finnerty floating over a glorious two-pointer. Dublin cut the gap to 0-18 to 0-17, before Molloy bagged two scores in a rapid-fire sequence and Maher pounced for that goal.
Padraic Joyce’s side appeared on the cusp of a notable victory, yet Dublin countered with the most telling surge of the game. A semi-final showdown with the Kingdom awaits.
Padraic Joyce and Ciaran Kilkenny at full-time. james lawlor photos
james lawlor photos
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Dublin produce brilliant finish to take down Galway in All-Ireland quarter-final
Dublin 1-25 (1-4-17)
Galway 1-21 (1-4-13)
THE OUTCOME SAW a stunning Dublin victory for the second successive Sunday at Croke Park, this latest one founded on a remarkable finish.
Six points adrift with 13 minutes remaining, Dublin appeared on the verge of a championship exit. A tight and tense contest looked to have swung decisively in Galway’s direction. Captain John Maher slid in to palm the ball to the net in the 55th minute, Shane Walsh’s initial shot had squirmed under the body of Evan Comerford and as the Dublin defence scrambled to clear, Maher got the vital touch.
The raising of the green flag had a game-breaking feel to it, propelling Galway 1-20 to 0-17 clear. Yet it swerved off on a different direction from there, Dublin winning the rest of the game 1-8 to 0-1. Next up? Kerry in a July semi-final.
After the concession of the goal, Dublin steadied themselves. Con O’Callaghan knocked over a close-range free, Paddy Small clipped a point with his right foot. O’Callaghan got in on the act from play with his left to trim the gap to three and then came a defining passage of play.
The outstanding Niall Scully delivered a brilliant kick pass to Colm Basquel, who was fouled by Liam Silke as he stepped inside with the intent of a man hunting a goal. Referee David Gough showed a black card to Silke for halting a goalscoring opportunity and O’Callaghan placed the ball on the spot. Connor Gleeson guessed correctly where the Cuala man was directing his shot, diving to his left and getting a hand on the ball, but crucially it looped up and fell over the line.
The goal drew Dublin level and energised the stadium. Galway did edge narrowly back in front. Shane Walsh’s two-point free struck the upright, Galway had two goalbound efforts blocked in succession, before Walsh scooped up the rebound and fired over a point.
But the momentum was with Dublin, Galway failed to score again and Ger Brennan’s side capitalised on their personnel advantage in the finale. Scully hit a terrific two-pointer to put Dublin in front and Colm Basquel nudged them two clear. The game was made safe from a Dublin perspective when O’Callaghan tapped over a free and substitute Seán Guiden rounded off the scoring to clinch a four-point success.
Pre-match intrigue surrounded potential team changes. Ultimately Dublin remained intact, Con O’Callaghan trotting onto the pitch with number 11 on his back despite speculation over this fitness and catching the eye throughout the half. Stationed close to goal, his sharpness caused a recurring issue for the Galway rearguard in the opening half as he popped over three points from play and drew two fouls for frees that Cormac Costello converted.
Galway operated without the influential Seán Kelly due to a shoulder injury, but Kieran Molloy raided forward effectively from wing-back in the opening period, scoring three points overall and setting up Paul Conroy for a two-pointer. Finnian Ó Laoi was drafted into the attack for Shane McGrath and registered two points.
The score read 0-14 to 0-13 in Dublin’s favour at the break. Considering it finished 0-17 to 0-16 to Galway in the corresponding fixture two years ago, it was reflective of the relentless early scoring here. By the 42nd minute, Galway enjoyed that exact 0-17 to 0-16 advantage.
Paddy Small and Cormac Costello complimented the contribution of Con, while Robert Finnerty spearheaded Galway’s charge with four points in the first half. Basquel’s influence grew for Dublin, while Cein Darcy was impressive in taking the fight for Galway.
Conroy’s two-pointer left the teams level approaching half-time, before O’Callaghan fisted over the score that nudged Dublin ahead. Galway thrived in the third quarter, moving 0-17 to 0-14 clear, Finnerty floating over a glorious two-pointer. Dublin cut the gap to 0-18 to 0-17, before Molloy bagged two scores in a rapid-fire sequence and Maher pounced for that goal.
Padraic Joyce’s side appeared on the cusp of a notable victory, yet Dublin countered with the most telling surge of the game. A semi-final showdown with the Kingdom awaits.
Scorers for Dublin: Con O’Callaghan 1-7 (0-3f, 1-0 pen), Niall Scully 0-4 (2 2pt play), Colm Basquel 0-4 (1 2pt play), Cormac Costello 0-4 (0-2 frees), Paddy Small 0-4 (1 2pt play), Eoin Kennedy 0-1, Seán Guiden 0-1.
Scorers for Galway: Robert Finnerty 0-6 (2 2pt play, 0-1 free), Cein Darcy 0-4 (1 2pt play), John Maher 1-0, Kieran Molloy 0-3, Paul Conroy 0-2 (1 2pt play), Dylan McHugh 0-2, Finnian Ó Laoi 0-2, Shane Walsh 0-1, Cillian McDaid 0-1.
Dublin
1. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)
2. Seán MacMahon (Raheny), 3. Eoin Kennedy (Cuala), 4. David Byrne (Naomh Ólaf)
5. Lee Gannon (Whitehall Colmcille), 6. Theo Clancy (Kilmacud Crokes), 7. Charlie McMorrow (Cuala)
8. Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala), 9. Brian Howard (Raheny)
10. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda’s), 11. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala, captain), 12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)
13. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams), 14. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock), 15. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
Subs
Galway
1. Connor Gleeson (Dunmore MacHales)
2. Jack Glynn (Claregalway), 3. Cian Hernon (Bearna), 4. Liam Silke (Corofin)
5. Dylan McHugh (Corofin), 6. John Daly (Mountbellew-Moylough), 20. Kieran Molloy (Corofin)
8. Paul Conroy (St James), 9. John Maher (Salthill-Knocknacarra)
22. Céin Darcy (Ballyboden St-Enda’s), 24. Finnian Ó Laoi (An Spideál), 12. Cillian McDaid (Monivea-Abbey)
13. Robert Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra), 14. Matthew Tierney (Oughterard), 15. Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes)
Subs
Referee: David Gough (Meath)
*****
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boys in blue Dublin GAA Galway