Galway exit All-Ireland SFC with defeat to Dublin
GALWAY were defeated 1-25 to 1-21 by Dublin in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final at Croke Park on Sunday. Padraic Joyce’s charges were aiming to reach the All-Ireland SFC semi-final for the first time since 2024 but in the end Galway just came up short.
The Tribesmen appeared to in a strong position leading 1-20 to 0-17 on 55 minutes but Dublin finished strongly and hung on for a four point win. Padraic Joyce drafted both Kieran Molloy and Finnian Ó Laoi into his side as late changes, after Sean Kelly was ruled out of this clash due to injury.
Dublin started brightly and raced into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after Cormac Costello, Paddy Small, and Con O’Callaghan gave the boys in blue control of proceedings after nine minutes. However, O’Laoi and two pointer courtesy of Robert Finnerty levelled the contest.
The sides remained finely balanced for the remainder of the first half with very little seperating the teams. Colm Basquel, Costello, Niall Scully, Eoin Kennedy and O’Callaghan raised white flags for Ger Brennan’s side as they led 0-14 to 0-13 at the interval. Dylan McHugh, Cein D’Arcy, Finnerty, Paul Conroy and Molloy were all on target for Joyce’s side in a fifteen minute spell as Galway trailed by the minimium at the break and appeared to be right within touching distance.
Finnerty and O Laoi continued to shine in attack and stretched Galway 0-17 to 0-14 in front after 41 minutes but Basquel and Con O’Callaghan narrowed the gap to a single point. Kieran Molloy sent Galway back in front leading 0-20 to 0-17 and then Shane Walsh raced past the Dublin defender Sean McMahon and John Maher punched the ball into the back of the net as Galway led 1-20 to 1-17 with fifteen minutes remaining.
However, Dublin continued to battle and O’Callaghan continued to step up to the plate and the sides were level once again, Galway defender Liam Silke was forced to pull down Colm Basquel and Dublin were awarded a penalty and Silke received a black card. O’Callaghan made no mistake from the penalty spot.
The Dubs made advantage of the extra man hitting four of the last five points through Basquel, O’Callaghan, Scully and Sean Guiden as Ger Brennan’s side advanced into the semi-finals of the All-Ireland SFC. Dublin have been drawn against Kerry and Mayo will play Louth in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
READ FULL MATCH REPORT AND REACTION IN THURSDAY’S CONNACHT TRIBUNE
Galway: R. Finnerty (0-6, 2 tps, 1 free); C. D’Arcy (0-4, 1 tp); K. Molloy (0-3); J. Maher (1-0); D. McHugh, P. Conroy (tp), F. Ó Laoi (0-2 each); C. McDaid, S. Walsh (0-1 each).
Dublin: C. O’Callaghan (1-7, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees); C Costello (2 frees), P. Small (1 tp), N. Scully (2 tps), C. Basquel (1tp) (0-4 each); E. Kennedy, S. Guiden (0-1 each).
GALWAY: C. Gleeson; L. Silke, J. Glynn, C. Hernon; D. McHugh, J. Daly, K. Molloy; P. Conroy, J. Maher (c); C. D’Arcy, F. Ó Laoi, C. McDaid; R. Finnerty, M. Tierney, S. Walsh.
Subs: D. Comer for C. McDaid (47); J. McGrath for J. Glynn (temp, 60-64); S. Ó Maolchiaráin for K. Molloy (61); S. McGrath for F. Ó Laoi (65); J. McGrath for P. Conroy (67).
DUBLIN: E. Comerford; S. MacMahon, E. Kennedy, D. Byrne; C. McMorrow, T. Clancy, L. Gannon; P. Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, B. Howard; C. Kilkenny, N. Scully, C. Basquel; P. Small, C. Costello, C. O’Callaghan.
Subs: R. McGarry for C. Costello (49); J. Bannon for S. MacMahon (inj 55); T. Deering for E. Kennedy (59); S. Guiden for P. Small (65); L. Smith for C. McMorrow (69).