MEATH’S STUNNING FOOTBALL summer continues as they added Galway to their list of scalps today and in the process booked a spot in the All-Ireland last four.
Jordan Morris struck 1-6 from play in a stunning attacking display for the Royals, while substitute Conor Gray also grabbed a crucial goal and Mathew Costello impressed with four points.
Galway, beaten All-Ireland finalists in two of the last three seasons, saw their 2025 campaign end at the quarter-final stage after a display where they failed to fire for long stages.
Cillian McDaid and Liam Silke both found the net during the second half but Padraic Joyce’s side were forced to give way to a superior Meath outfit.
Galway’s John Maher dejected at the final whistle. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Brian O'Halloran of Meath at full time. James Lawlor / INPHO
James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO
It was a slow-burning match with both sides struggling to get into their flow at stages during the first half. There were only two points registered inside the opening 15 minutes, one apiece, but Meath then generated some momentum. Bryan Menton and Ruairí Kinsella bagged the points that sent them 0-5 to 0-3 clear after 27 minutes.
Galway struck four of the last five points of the half though with Sean Kelly levelling the game and then John Maher edging them ahead 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern as the teams traded points, 0-9 apiece by the 46th minute, but then Meath made a decisive move as they fired an unanswered 1-3. The first goal was registered by Conor Gray in the 54th minute bundling the ball to the net in front of Hill 16 as he shrugged off the retreating Galway cover.
Advertisement
Galway’s Cein Darcy and Conor Duke of Meath. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
From there the game exploded to life. Galway looked in serious trouble but they remarkably hit 2-3 without reply in the next five minutes. Shane Walsh nailed a two-point free, Cillian McDaid charged through the centre to slam a left-foot shot to the net, Robert Finnerty slotted over a free, and then Liam Silke capped a defence-splitting counter attack to finish calmly to the net.
It was thrilling stuff now and the action continued at a relentless rate. Eoghan Frayne bagged a vital point to steady Meath and then they stripped Johnny McGrath of possession, cutting through with Costello placing Morris for the simple task of flicking to an empty net.
Cathal Hickey and Morris pointed, Comer grabbed one in reply for Galway, before Morris accelerated clear again to fist over the score that left Meath three clear with two minutes remaining.
Meath’s Seán Coffey and Peter Cooke of Galway. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
It was pulsating stuff, Walsh stepping up to land a two-pointer that left Galway only one adrift but they couldn’t get their hands on the ball to work the opportunity for a leveller.
Robbie Brennan’s Meath side protected their winning position, Galway the latest heavyweight side to fall to them after Dublin and Kerry suffered championship losses in earlier meetings this summer.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
21 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Brilliant Meath take down Galway to reach All-Ireland semi-final
Meath 2-16 (2-0-16)
Galway 2-15 (2-2-11)
MEATH’S STUNNING FOOTBALL summer continues as they added Galway to their list of scalps today and in the process booked a spot in the All-Ireland last four.
Jordan Morris struck 1-6 from play in a stunning attacking display for the Royals, while substitute Conor Gray also grabbed a crucial goal and Mathew Costello impressed with four points.
Galway, beaten All-Ireland finalists in two of the last three seasons, saw their 2025 campaign end at the quarter-final stage after a display where they failed to fire for long stages.
Cillian McDaid and Liam Silke both found the net during the second half but Padraic Joyce’s side were forced to give way to a superior Meath outfit.
It was a slow-burning match with both sides struggling to get into their flow at stages during the first half. There were only two points registered inside the opening 15 minutes, one apiece, but Meath then generated some momentum. Bryan Menton and Ruairí Kinsella bagged the points that sent them 0-5 to 0-3 clear after 27 minutes.
Galway struck four of the last five points of the half though with Sean Kelly levelling the game and then John Maher edging them ahead 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern as the teams traded points, 0-9 apiece by the 46th minute, but then Meath made a decisive move as they fired an unanswered 1-3. The first goal was registered by Conor Gray in the 54th minute bundling the ball to the net in front of Hill 16 as he shrugged off the retreating Galway cover.
From there the game exploded to life. Galway looked in serious trouble but they remarkably hit 2-3 without reply in the next five minutes. Shane Walsh nailed a two-point free, Cillian McDaid charged through the centre to slam a left-foot shot to the net, Robert Finnerty slotted over a free, and then Liam Silke capped a defence-splitting counter attack to finish calmly to the net.
It was thrilling stuff now and the action continued at a relentless rate. Eoghan Frayne bagged a vital point to steady Meath and then they stripped Johnny McGrath of possession, cutting through with Costello placing Morris for the simple task of flicking to an empty net.
Cathal Hickey and Morris pointed, Comer grabbed one in reply for Galway, before Morris accelerated clear again to fist over the score that left Meath three clear with two minutes remaining.
It was pulsating stuff, Walsh stepping up to land a two-pointer that left Galway only one adrift but they couldn’t get their hands on the ball to work the opportunity for a leveller.
Robbie Brennan’s Meath side protected their winning position, Galway the latest heavyweight side to fall to them after Dublin and Kerry suffered championship losses in earlier meetings this summer.
Scorers for Meath: Jordan Morris 1-6, Mathew Costello 0-4 (0-1f), Conor Gray 1-0, Donal Keogan 0-1, Seán Coffey 0-1, Bryan Menton 0-1, Ruairí Kinsella 0-1, Cathal Hickey 0-1, Eoghan Frayne 0-1.
Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-5 (1 2pt free, 1 2pt play), Cillian McDaid 1-0, Liam Silke 1-0, Robert Finnerty 0-3 (0-2f), Matthew Thompson 0-2, Matthew Tierney 0-2, Seán Kelly 0-1, John Maher 0-1, Damien Comer 0-1.
Meath
1. Billy Hogan (Longwood)
2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter’s, Dunboyne), 3. Seán Rafferty (Na Fianna), 4. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill)
5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), 6. Seán Coffey (Ballinabrackey), 7. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim)
8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore-Ashbourne),9. Adam O’Neill (Wolfe Tones)
10. Conor Duke (Dunshaughlin), 11. Ruairi Kinsella (Dunshaughlin), 26. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin),
13. Jordan Morris (Kingscourt Stars – Cavan), 14. Keith Curtis (Rathkenny), 15. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill – captain)
Subs
Galway
16. Connor Gleeson (Dunmore MacHales)
2. Johnny McGrath (Caherlistrane), 3. Seán Fitzgerald (Bhearna), 17. Jack Glynn (Claregalway)
5. Dylan McHugh (Corofin), 4. Liam Silke (Corofin), 7. Cian Hernon (Bhearna)
9. John Maher (Salthill-Knocknacarra), 22. Peter Cooke (Maigh Cuilinn)
10. Cein Darcy (Ballyboden St-Enda’s – Dublin), 11. Matthew Tierney (Oughterard), ) 6. Seán Kelly (Maigh Cuilinn – captain)
13. Robert Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra), 14. Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes - Dublin), 15. Matthew Thompson (Salthill-Knocknacarra)
Subs
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
GAA Gaelic Football Galway Meath Royals Rule