The 42 Reports from Croke Park

Dublin 1-25 (1-4-17)

Galway 1-21 (1-4-13)

THE OUTCOME WAS 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.

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 edged narrowly back in front, Shane Walsh’s two-point free struck the upright, Galway had two goalbound efforts blocked in succssion, 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 three 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.

Cormac Costello in action against Dylan McHugh. james lawlor photos james lawlor photos

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

• 23. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St-Enda’s) for Costello (49)
• 22. Josh Bannon (St Sylvester’s) for MacMahon (55)
• 26. Tim Deering (Skerries Harps) for Kennedy (59)
• 21. Seán Guiden (St Sylvester’s) for Small (65)
• 18. Liam Smith (Ballinteer St John’s) for McMorrow (69)

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

• 26. Damien Comer (Annaghdown) for McDaid (46)
• 19. Johnny McGrath (Caherlistrane) for Glynn (60-64, temp)
• 18. Seán Mulkerrin (Oileáin Árann) for Molloy (61)
• 11. Shane McGrath (Dunmore MacHales) for Ó Laoi (65)
• 19. McGrath for Conroy (66) 

Referee:David Gough (Meath)

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Written by Fintan O’Toole and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.