Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today’s Allianz National League Division One final between Dublin and Galway.
If the last time these side’s met at Pearse Stadium a fortnight ago is anything to go, we are in for a fiery and dramatic encounter.
There’s a little under half an hour to go before throw-in at Croke Park, so strap yourself in what should be a real cracker at HQ.
Today’s teams are:
Dublin
1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnell’s)
2. Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams)
3. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala)
4. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
5. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams)
6. Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)
7. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
8. Brian Fenton (Raheny)
9. Michael Darragh Macauley (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
10. Brian Howard (Raheny)
11. Kevin McManamon (St Jude’s)
12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)
13. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)
14. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock)
15. Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s)
Galway
1. Ruairi Lavelle (Renvyle)
2. Declan Kyne (Clonbur)
3. Sean Andy O Ceallaigh (Naomh Ánna Leitir Mór)
4. Eoghan Kerin (Annaghdown)
5. Gareth Bradshaw (Moycullen)
6. Cathal Sweeney (Killannin)
7. Johnny Heaney (Killannin)
8. Peter Cooke (Moycullen)
9. Ciaran Duggan (Annaghdown)
10. Eamonn Brannigan (St Michael’s)
11. Paul Conroy (St James’)
12. Sean Kelly (Moycullen)
13. Barry McHugh (Mountbellew/Moylough)
14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown)
15. Sean Armstrong (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
Not long to go now! We will have live score updates here from today's game, throw-in at 4pm. Come on you boys in blue! 👕🔵💙 pic.twitter.com/0Q81bzbab2
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) April 1, 2018
@Galway_GAA Team pic.twitter.com/G5mysIlRkb
— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) March 31, 2018
Only one team can become Champions of #AllianzLeagues Div 1 Football! GAANOW looks ahead to today's final in which @Galway_GAA will take on @DubGAAOfficial in @CrokePark at 4pm! pic.twitter.com/a4pwUE7Ed2
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 1, 2018
One late change for Dublin ahead of throw-in, as Paul Mannion replaces Paddy Andrews at corner forward.
Ahead of throw-in, how do we see this one going? Let us know below!
Poll Results:
Throw-in: We’re underway at Croke Park!
Dublin 0-0 Galway 0-0
1 min — SAVE! Almost a goal right from the throw-in from Dublin as Paul Mannion bears down on goal menacingly. He strikes well and low from inside the box, but forces a superb save from Ruairi Lavelle who sees the ball re-bound back off his legs.
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-0
3 mins — Despite Galway seeing a lot of the ball inside the opening couple of minutes, Dean Rock swings over the first score of the afternoon from distance. Moments later, Mannion adds another. A good start from Jim Gavin’s men here.
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-0
4 mins — Steady, patient build-up play from Dublin sees Ciaran Kilkenny pop a swift hand pass into the path of the onrushing Philly McMahon bursting forward from the back. However the Ballymun Kickhams man’s shot is wayward and flies well wide of the target.
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-1
7 mins — The Tribesmen get on the scoreboard just past the five minute mark. Johnny Cooper drags Sean Armstrong down unceremoniously as he weaved in and out of challenges outside the box. Barry McHugh kicks off the ground and over.
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-1
8 mins — Eamonn Brannigan with what looked like a magnificent effort, however the referee requires Hawk-Eye. After a quick review, the footage shows his shot from distance did not actually manage to steer inside the post.
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-2
10 mins — No matter though, as Johnny Heaney grabs hold of possession from the resulting kick-out to kick over and draw the scores level again.
Dublin 0-3 Galway 0-2
11 mins — John Small restores his side’s lead right away. He tucks left and right outside the box following an offload from Kevin McManamon, before steering a sweet strike over.
Dublin 0-3 Galway 0-3
13 mins — Philly McMahon is penalised for holding too long onto Damien Comer, and the defender is shown an early yellow card. From a carbon-copy position to his earlier kick, Barry McHugh points off the ground for Galway.
Dublin 0-4 Galway 0-3
14 mins — Right from Stephen Cluxton’s kick-out, Dublin burst up the field with Niall Scully kicking over to restore their one point advantage.
Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-4
16 mins — Ciaran Kilkenny finds a pocket of space just to the righthand side of the box. The Castleknock forward looked like setting himself up for a shot at goal, however was content to pop a handpass over the crossbar. At the other end, Damien Comer pops a score of his own over. It’s very tight.
Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-5
19 mins — We’re all level as Niall Scully is penalised for a foul on Damien Comer. That’s three poor fouls in succession for Dublin, allowing their lead to be eaten away at. McHugh kicks over, again off the ground from close range, to make it five apiece.
Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-5
20 mins — Michael Darragh Macauley and Paul Conroy are both shown yellow cards following a brief scrap in the middle of the park.
Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-6
22 mins — Galway take the lead for the first time this afternoon with a stunning, sweeping kick from the boot of Barry McHugh. It took a while to go over, but it sure did to the glee of the travelling support inside Croke Park. His side lead the All-Ireland champions.
Dublin 0-6 Galway 0-6
23 mins — Another chance for a goal for Paul Mannion, but his shot just nips over the crossbar. He was completely untracked and took possession with one thing on his mind, but his effort just managed to fly over, instead of under which he appeared to be aiming for. All square.
Dublin 0-7 Galway 0-6
26 mins — Dublin are ahead again, having trailed for just a couple of minutes. Dean Rock with the free, as Johnny Heaney is shown a yellow card for kicking the ball as Brian Howard bent down to pick it up along the ground.
A fine kick from McHugh earlier.
Barry McHugh curls it over the bar! pic.twitter.com/XdCtUkDZ3B
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 1, 2018
Dublin 0-8 Galway 0-6
29 mins — Two point lead for the Dubs now following another poor foul 50 yards from goal. Dean Rock stands over it, and has no trouble curling it over.
An entertaining first half an hour at Croke Park.
Dublin 0-8 Galway 0-7
33 mins — A great interception from Comer sends Galway breaking away swiftly following a prolonged spell of Dublin possession just inside their opponents half. Paul Conroy caps off the counter with a superb score, as he sends his marker to the ground with a brilliant dummy on his right, before slotting the ball flying over on his left. One point game with a couple of minutes to go before the break.
Dublin 0-8 Galway 0-8
35 mins — And we’re all square! Ciaran Duggan starts another move at half-way, before a handful of direct hand-passes draws Dublin out of shape, with Johnny Heaney kicking over following a superb catch inside the box.
Dublin 0-8 Galway 0-8
35 mins — A switch for Dublin just before the interval as St Peregrines man Eric Lowndes replaces the injured James McCarthy, who goes off.
HALF-TIME: DUBLIN 0-8 GALWAY 0-8
Well, what did we make of that? You have to say, it’s been very tight. Dublin started well with those two quick scores right out of the traps but ever since Galway have kept pace and held their own.
Barry McHugh has been excellent, both from frees and with that particular kick after 22 minutes which swept over from distance with great momentum to draw his side level.
Dean Rock has been ever-present and late inclusion in Dublin’s starting XV Paul Mannion has been a menace inside the box — with a goal seeming possible any time he takes possession within striking distance.
James McCarthy will be a big miss and the extent of his injury will be keenly noted by Dubs fans and Jim Gavin alike after today’s game as we bear into the start of the Leinster championship in a few weeks’ time.
Which way is it going to go?
Nothing to separate the sides at half-time.
Watch all the highlights from the first half here:
Both sides even at the break between Dublin and Galway, Watch the Half-Time highlights here on GAANOW! pic.twitter.com/fIQ8hQPT3D
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 1, 2018
SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway at Croke Park!
Dublin 0-9 Galway 0-8
36 mins — Dublin regain the lead right away courtesy of second-half introduction Colm Basquel, who makes an immediate impact from half-forward. The Ballyboden St. Enda’s man replaces Kevin McManamon, who has been brought off.
Croke Park just under half full for today’s Division One football final.
Todays attendance in @CrokePark is 36,574 #AllianzLeague
— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) April 1, 2018
Dublin 0-9 Galway 0-9
41 mins — Johnny Cooper is shown a yellow card for a rash foul on Paul Conroy, who just got away from him with an extra bit of speed and guile there. McHugh kicks over and we’re level again.
Dublin 0-9 Galway 0-9
42 mins — Paul Mannion with a kick that flies high towards goal. The umpire calls for the assistance of Hawk-Eye and to the expectation of most, it shows that the effort flew a good few inches wide of the target. No point given.
Dublin 0-11 Galway 0-9
45 mins — Dean Rock restores his side’s lead with a free from 25 yards out, before Ruairi Lavelle’s kick-out goes amiss to allow Paul Mannion the chance to kick another score, which he does. Two points between the teams now.
Dublin 0-12 Galway 0-9
46 mins — A third score in quick succession for the Dubs and a second in the space of nine minutes for substitute Colm Basquel. The game is tipping in their favour as the Hill finds its voice amid the bitter cold.
Dublin 0-12 Galway 0-10
48 mins — A swift response courtesy of Shane Walsh, who kicks a simply sublime free from off the ground. That was special.
Ciarán Kilkenny alongside Gareth Bradshaw.
SENT OFF! NIALL SCULLY IS SHOWN A SECOND YELLOW FOR DUBLIN
Dublin 0-12 Galway 0-11
51 mins — Already on a booking, Niall Scully brings down Paul Conroy and 23-year-old is sent off. Barry McHugh kicks the free over and there’s one point in it now, with a man advantage to the Tribesmen with 20 minutes remaining here.
Dublin are a man down now, as Templeogue Synge Street man Niall Scully (right) is given his marching orders.
Dublin 0-12 Galway 0-12
54 mins — We’re all square! Dublin’s resistance wears down as Shane Walsh goes on mazy dribble which takes him within kicking distance, he shuffles the ball onto his left boot and swings a brilliant score flying over.
Dublin 0-13 Galway 0-12
56 mins — Dean Rock with another free to edge the All-Ireland champions back ahead. Meanwhile, fresh off winning an All-Ireland hurling club championship with Cuala against Na Piarsaigh, Con O’Callaghan is brought on off the bench. He replaces Michael Darragh MacAuley.
Dublin 0-13 Galway 0-13
56 mins — The perfect response from Galway as Damien Comer punches a high ball over the bar. The pass was aimed at the forward inside the penalty area but — rather than bother catching it — he raised his fist and nudged it over. Fantastic skill.
Dublin 0-13 Galway 0-13
60 mins — SAVE! Ruairi Lavelle with a sublime stop. Goodness me, it looked like it was in! Some superb link-up play from Dublin sees Dean Rock through one on one, however despite the forward striking well towards the top corner, Lavelle extends an arm and bats it away. Wow.
Dublin 0-14 Galway 0-13
61 mins — But Rock kicks over the resulting ’45 to put his side ahead again. What a finish to this game.
Dublin 0-15 Galway 0-13
62 mins — Another for Dublin, as they find another level. A quick break finds Ciaran Kilkenny on the edge of the box, he kicks around the attempted block of his marker and he swings his effort over. Two points between the teams now with under ten minutes remaining. Can Galway respond or will Dublin continue to pull away?
Here’s that save from Ruairi Lavelle to deny Dean Rock from close range. Watch it again, and again, and one more time after that.
What a save from Galway's Ruairí Lavelle! pic.twitter.com/60iZsNco8X
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 1, 2018
Dublin 0-15 Galway 0-14
65 mins — Galway cut the deficit to just a single point. A super score from distance courtesy of Annaghdown man Damien Comer on his right foot.
Dublin 0-16 Galway 0-14
67 mins — The Dubs’ two point advantage is restored, as Philly McMahon once again bursts forward untracked from the back. Unlike in the first half when he tried his effort to see it fly wide, this time it goes over brilliantly.
Dublin 0-16 Galway 0-14
69 mins — A chance for Paul Conroy from within range flies wide of the target. A poor effort at a stage in this game when scores need to be taken for Galway. Meanwhile Jim Gavin introduces Shane Carthy, with Paul Mannion making way.
Dublin 0-16 Galway 0-14
70 mins — Adrian Varley is on for Galway, replacing Johnny Duane, while Damien Comer is shown a yellow card. There will be five minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the second half with two points the difference.
Dublin 0-16 Galway 0-14
71 mins — Dublin trying to see out the clock now as they maintain possession inside their own half. John Small is brought on for the final few minutes in place of Philly McMahon.
Dublin 0-17 Galway 0-14
73 mins — Galway are going to need a late, late goal now, as Eric Lowndes extends Dublin’s lead to three points with less than a minute of stoppage time remaining. The young defender shuffles left and right, before curling his score between the sticks with composure.
Dublin 0-18 Galway 0-14
75 mins — It looks all but over now, as Dean Rock scores another late free from distance. That should be that.
FULL-TIME: DUBLIN ARE ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Allianz Football League Div. 1 Final:
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) April 1, 2018
Full time score -
Dublin: 0-18(18)
Galway: 0-14(14)
Dublin are NFL Champions 2018! 🏆#UpTheDubs
It’s all over at Croke Park! A very tight Allianz Football League Division 1 Final, but it’s Dublin who pull away from Galway in the end. Final score: 0-18 to 0-14 pic.twitter.com/QhwjnbWYei
— Sportsfile 🇮🇪 (@sportsfile) April 1, 2018
There we have it, Dublin are Allianz Football League champions for the 13th time and the fifth time in the last six seasons.
Galway were worthy opponents on the day and showed just the type of pedigree they will bring to the Championship over the coming months.
Thanks a million for joining us!
What a match; commiserations to @Galway_GAA, serious contest 👏 pic.twitter.com/AUjGubWUik
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) April 1, 2018
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