GALWAY 0-15 DUBLIN 2-9
Dublin will face Cork in the Allianz NFL Division 1 final in two weeks’ time as they preserved their unbeaten record when drawing with Galway in their concluding regulation match in Pearse Stadium, Salthill on Sunday afternoon.
The Dubs played all bar the opening seven minutes with 14 men after Alan Brogan was straight red-carded in the early passages of this contest.
Two first half goals from Alan Brogan (third minute) and Pat Burke (28th minute) had the Dubs 2-7 to 0-6 in front at the half-time interval after playing with wind advantage.
The lead was stretched five minutes after the restart when Bernard Brogan converted a free but that proved to be the Dubs last score until sub Dean Kelly grabbed a point five minutes from time. In between Galway kicked eight unanswered points to get on level terms with seven minutes remaining.
The second half introduction of Gareth Bradshaw brought greater energy to Galway’s efforts and points from Cormac Bane (free), Bradshaw, Padraic Joyce (two frees), Kevin Brady, and long range efforts from Paul Conroy and Gary Sice had the Tribesmen on level terms by the 63rd minute.
The also had a goal-scoring opportunity but Michael Savage denied Conroy from close range.
Five minutes from time lively sub Dean Kelly edged Dublin in front but in the second minute of injury-time Bane kicked the equaliser for Galway.
SCORERS – Galway: P Joyce (0-4f), C Bane (0-2f) 0-4 each, P Conroy 0-3, E Concannon, G Sice, G Bradshaw, K Brady 0-1 each. Dublin: B Brogan 0-5 (0-4f), A Brogan, P Burke 1-0 each, S Murray, D Bastick (sline), P Flynn, D Kelly 0-1 each.
GALWAY – A Faherty; C Forde, A Burke, J Duane; G O’Donnell, G Higgins, G Sice; J Bergin, F Hanley; M Clancy, E Concannon, C Kenny; P Joyce, P Conroy, C Bane. Subs: N Coyne for O’Donnell (ht), G Bradshaw for Clancy (42), K Brady for Kenny (52).
DUBLIN – M Savage; N Devereux, P Brogan, P McMahon; P Casey, G Brennan, K Nolan; D Bastick, S Murray; P Flynn, P Burke, B Cullen; A Brogan, D Connolly, B Brogan. Subs: M Fitzsimons for Devereux (ht), D Kelly for Burke (54), D Lally for Connolly (60), P Andrews for Cullen (68), D Nelson for Kelly (inj 70).
REF – P Fox (Westmeath).
