Senior footballers up tempo in second-half to see off Galway

DUBLIN 1-24 GALWAY 2-12

Reigning champions Dublin are through to their fourth All-Ireland SFC decider in-a-row following Saturday evening's nine-point victory over Galway at Croke Park.

The Dubs led 1-9 to 1-7 at half-time after an evenly balanced opening but the Dubs, inspired by the likes of Jack McCaffrey, upped their intensity and pace in the second period to book their berth in the final.

Dublin also drew energy and scoring power from their subs with Cormac Costello (0-3, 0-1f), Kevin McManamon (0-2) and Paul Flynn all contributing following their introduction.

In the opening half Dublin opened well with points from Paul Mannion and two Dean Rock frees to lead 0-3 to 0-0 inside the opening six minutes.

However, they suffered a body blow when Damien Comer timed his leap best among three Dublin players to fist overhead to Stephen Cluxton's net.

An excellent point from the tireless Brian Howard made it 0-4 to 1-1 by the tenth minute.

A few minutes later the Dubs were in trouble again with the Tribesmen were awarded a penalty for a foul on Comer but Cluxton brilliantly denied Eamonn Brannigan from the penalty spot.

It was a nervy period for Dublin but their escaped the other side without too much damage and began to exert a greater influence on the game.

Ciaran Kilkenny was very much the leader of the Dublin attack and he pointed Dublin into a 0-5 to 1-1 lead in the 13th minute. Points from Brian Fenton and Rock (free) put Dublin 0-7 to 1-1 in front.

But back came Galway who counter-attacked to telling effect and found plenty of time and space in the Dublin defence to kick three points on the spin to draw level by the 25th minute.

But Dublin did well to get in front by the break with Con O'Callaghan's 26th minute goal, following great work by Jack McCaffrey and Niall Scully, a great fillip for Jim Gavin's men.

The downside of the first half was Cian O'Sullivan being withdrawn through injury in the 28th minute with Michael Fitzsimons replacing the Kilmacud Crokes defender and enjoying a positive game.

The second half was a different story with a few early runs up the left wing by McCaffrey signaling Dublin's intent for the second period.

Paul Mannion opened Dublin's second-half account with a fisted Con O'Callaghan point making it 1-11 to 1-7 shortly after the restart.

But from the 45th minute on the Dubs began to punch holes in the Galway defence.

Points from Kilkenny, Rock (free), O'Callghan and Dean Rock again made it 1-15 to 1-9 with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Dublin didn't let up with Costello finding the target twice in quick succession before Fenton showed some nice footwork before clipping over off his left foot.

Before the conclusion Dublin's subs have contributed six points as Dublin had secured victory before the impressive Shane Walsh scored a goal late in the game.

SCORERS – Dublin: C O’Callaghan 1-3, D Rock 0-5 (4f), P Mannion 0-4, C Kilkenny, C Costello (1f) 0-3 each, B Fenton, K McManamon 0-2 each, B Howard, P Flynn 0-1 each. Galway: S Walsh 1-5 (0-3f), D Comer 1-1, I Burke 0-2, T Flynn, J Heaney, G O'Donnell, M Daly 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; E Murchan, P McMahon, J Cooper; J Small, C O’Sullivan, J McCaffrey; B Fenton, J McCarthy; N Scully, C Kilkenny, B Howard; D Rock, C O’Callaghan, P Mannion. Subs: M Fitzsimons for O’Sullivan (28 inj), C Costello for Scully (44), K McManamon for Rock (56), MD Macauley for Murchan (57), D Daly for Small (66), P Flynn for McCaffrey (68).

GALWAY: R Lavelle; D Kyne, SA Ó Ceallaigh, E Kerin; C Sweeney, G Bradshaw, J Heaney; C Duggan, T Flynn; E Brannigan, S Walsh, S Kelly; S Armstrong, D Comer, I Burke. Subs: M Daly for Armstrong (47), P Cooke for Brannigan (50), G O’Donnell for Sweeney (56), A Varley for Heaney (59), C Molloy for Kerin (66), J Duane for Bradshaw (68).

REF: B Cassidy (Derry).