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ZUCAR All Ireland Minor Semi Final 2025.
Thursday 10th July 2025
Dublin 1-15 (18) Galway 2-09 (15).
The Dublin Minor squad have booked their place in the 2025 All-Ireland final following a pulsating victory over Galway in Kinnegad. Dublin will now play Cork in the decider on Saturday July 26th. The rebels defeated reigning champions Cavan by 3-12 to 0-10 to set up a mouth-watering encounter with the Dubs.
The semi final is Kinnegad was an exciting hard-fought contest. Galway registered the opening score of the game within seconds of the throw in with a fine point from corner forward Gemma Casserly. Dublin responded admirably scoring 1-04 without reply. Charlie Murphy with a goal, Gemma Connolly and Molly Bourke with two converted frees and full forward Zara Flood on target with two well taken points from play.
Galway’s Alisha O’Malley tapped over a free in the 11th minute to settle her side who had set up a wall of defence in an attempt to quell the Dublin attack. Galway received a major boost in the 21st minute when Zainab Rather scored a goal against the run of play to bring her side right back into the game.
Gemma Connolly scored a point for the Dubs in quick reply to the Galway goal. Both teams exchanged scores leading up to the break Hannah Mangan, Clodagh Fallon with points form play and Alisha O’Malley with another converted free kick for Galway. While a Gemma Connolly free kick would be the difference between the two teams at the break, HT Dublin 1-06 Galway 1-05.
Dublin manager Declan Patton made two half time substitutions introducing Catarina Almeida for Tara Walsh and Rebecca McEvoy for Ellie Reen. But it was Galway who got the perfect restart when Alisha O’Malley rattled the back of the Dublin net inside the 4th minute to push Galway two points clear of their opponents.
To their credit once more Dublin responded to the challenge. Gemma Connolly with three points including one from a free kick while substitute Rebecca McEvoy hit two excellent points from play to once again give Dublin the advantage.
As the game edged into the final quarter the tension amongst the large crowd of supporters grew as did the intensity on the field of play. The two sides exchanged scores Alisha O’Malley with another free kick for Galway and Zara Flood with a point from play for the Dubs. Three points the difference with under 12 minutes of game time remaining.
Even with both teams making changes the level of commitment from the two sets of players never dipped despite the hot weather conditions. Dublin sub Phoebe Macken got on the score sheet with 5 minutes remaining to propel her team four points ahead.
Galway threw everything they had at Dublin. Alisha O’Malley with another free, Hannah Mangan with a point from play which was followed by another O’Malley free, her fifth in total. The game had now headed into time added on with just one point separating the teams.
Dublin supporters were calling for match official Eoghan O’Neill from Kildare to blow his whistle but the game continued. Connolly and McEvoy closed out the game for the Dubs with two key points from play the last score from McEvoy came in the 36th minute.
The referee blew the whistle. Game over followed by jubilant scenes from those wearing blue. Dublin had booked their place in the 2025 final. Remarkably the Dubs first All-Ireland appearance at minor level since 2016.
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