FLASHBACK: Dublin v Galway 2018

Dublin take on Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final this Sunday at Croke Park, hoping to take another step closer to lifting Sam Maguire for the first time since 2023.

Eight years ago, the Dubs pulled off a complete performance, beating the Tribesmen 1-24 to 2-12 in 2018’s All-Ireland semi-final.

The road to four-in-a-row gathered even greater momentum on a memorable August afternoon in Croke Park as Jim Gavin's Dublin powered away from Galway to book yet another All-Ireland final appearance.

For long spells, the Connacht champions made life uncomfortable. Galway arrived with genuine belief after ending Mayo's provincial dominance, and, during a sustained spell in the opening half, their direct approach into Damien Comer asked serious questions of Dublin's defence. 

High deliveries into the square disrupted the normally composed Boys in Blue and ensured the contest remained finely balanced.

Despite Dublin enjoying the brighter start, Paul Mannion's brilliance and Dean Rock's early accuracy from placed balls couldn't shake off a determined Galway side. Comer's influence grew with every attack, and when he capitalised on a dangerous delivery to punch past Stephen Cluxton, the game had suddenly burst into life.

Galway had chances to seize complete control- especially when a penalty from Eamonn Brannigan was brilliantly turned around the post by Cluxton.

Even when Con O'Callaghan spectacularly restored parity before the break- palming home after another sweeping move involving Jack McCaffrey and Niall Scully- there was little to separate the teams. Dublin headed for the dressing room with only a two-point advantage, knowing plenty of work still lay ahead.

What followed after the restart was championship football at its ruthless best.

The Dublin machine clicked seamlessly into another gear. Brian Fenton began to dominate midfield; McCaffrey drove relentlessly from defence, while O'Callaghan rediscovered the spark that would define so many big afternoons in blue.

Galway, who had matched Dublin's intensity for much of the opening period, simply couldn't live with the relentless pace, movement and precision.

Jim Gavin once again demonstrated the depth that had become one of Dublin's greatest strengths. Dean Rock made way earlier than supporters had become accustomed to, with Cormac Costello assuming free-taking duties without missing a beat.

Paul Flynn and Kevin McManamon added fresh energy from the bench, combining for crucial scores as Dublin's replacements widened the gap rather than merely protecting it.

It was a familiar story during those dominant years. While opponents often arrived with well-crafted plans, few possessed the depth required once Dublin began emptying a bench packed with proven All-Ireland winners. The intensity never dipped; if anything, it increased.

Galway's resistance slowly faded under the weight of wave after wave of blue attacks. Their defenders threw themselves into desperate blocks and last-ditch tackles, but every clearance seemed to return with interest. One sequence late in the second half summed up Dublin's afternoon perfectly, three heroic blocks eventually fell kindly for McManamon, who calmly created the opening for Costello to split the posts.

Even the loss of Cian O'Sullivan before half-time couldn't halt Dublin's momentum. Michael Fitzsimons slotted effortlessly into the system, another reminder of the squad's remarkable strength and adaptability.

Shane Walsh's late goal provided Galway with little more than consolation as Dublin completed a commanding second-half display, outscoring the Tribesmen by ten points to two during a devastating third quarter that effectively ended the contest.

With another comprehensive semi-final victory secured, Gavin's side marched into the All-Ireland final, one step closer to writing another chapter in an extraordinary era for Dublin football. They would secure a fourth All-Ireland in succession when we beat Tyrone 2-17 to 1-14 in that year's All-Ireland final.

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Eoin Murchan, Cian O’Sullivan, Philly McMahon; Jonny Cooper, James McCarthy, Jack McCaffrey Brian Fenton (0-02), John Small; Niall Scully, Ciarán Kilkenny (0-03), Brian Howard (0-01); Con O’Callaghan (1-03), Dean Rock (0-05, 0-04f), Paul Mannion (0-04).

Subs: Michael Fitzsimons for O’Sullivan 27 mins; Cormac Costello (0-03, 0-01f) for Scully 43 mins; Kevin McManamon (0-02) for Rock 55 mins; Michael Darragh Macauley for Murchan 56 mins; Darren Daly for Small 65 mins; Paul Flynn (0-01) for McCaffrey 67 mins.

Galway: Ruairí Lavelle; Declan Kyne, Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh, Eoghan Kerin; Cathal Sweeney, Gareth Bradshaw, Johnny Heaney (0-01); Ciarán Duggan, Thomas Flynn (0-01); Shane Walsh (1-05, 0-03f), Seán Armstrong, Seán Kelly; Ian Burke (0-02), Damien Comer (1-01), Eamonn Brannigan.

Subs: Michael Daly (0-01) for Armstrong 46 mins; Peter Cooke for Brannigan 49 mins; Gary O’Donnell (0-01) for Sweeney 55 mins; Adrian Varley for Heaney 58 mins; Kieran Molloy for Kerin 65 mins; Johnny Duane for Bradshaw 67 mins.

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)