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Allianz FL D1: Spoils shared in the west

Galway v Dublin - Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 6

Galway v Dublin - Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 6

Allianz Football League Division One

GALWAY 0-13 DUBLIN 0-13

By Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium

A match peppered with drama ended in a welter of excitement as the spoils were divided in the west.

Late on several incidents gripped a passionate 10,050 audience, who braved the icy conditions to witness a compelling contest.

The only thing that ultimately matttered was the point Dublin earned to secure an Allianz League Final berth.

Galway, though, left the Salthill venue heartened following a seriously gutsy display. A late Dublin flurry looked to have secured victory, but Galway summoned a late riposte.

Johnny Heaney nailed a last gasp point for Galway, it was a reminder of the significant progress made Corribside under Kevin Walsh.

Buoyed up by five wins on the spin Galway, despite making seven changes from the team which started against Monaghan, frustrated Dublin for vast chunks of the opening period.

Ciaran Kilkenny and Dean Rock (free) struck nice early points for Dublin, but Galway responded impressively kicking eight of the next nine points.

Breaking at speed there was plenty to admire in the manner Galway remained diligent with Eoghan Kerin and Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh solid in the full back line.

Further up the pitch Peter Cooke contributed handsomely, while Barry McHugh was sharp from frees as Galway edged 0-8 to 0-3 clear by the 24th minute.

Kilkenny replied with a fine Dublin score, but Galway punished a couple of mistakes as McHugh and Cooke split the uprights.

On the stroke of half-time Kilkenny, who mined three from play in the opening period, narrowed the deficit, but Galway were content to depart 0-10 to 0-5 ahead.

Slowly, but surely Dublin narrowed the gap after the restart. Inevitably Kilkenny was involved, stitching the play, while Jonny Cooper burst forward to kick an important point.

That was briskly followed by a Paddy Small free as Galway held a slender 0-10 to 0-9 advantage by the 56th minute with Galway introducing a raft of key players for the closing stages.

Galway replacements Damien Comer and Heaney clipped splendid points, but then Dublin poured forward posing serious questions.

Conor McHugh (free), Cormac Costello (free) and Kilkenny all raised white flags as Dublin drew level in injury time.

Eoghan O'Gara was sent off during a finish that was fast and furious. Costello added another free as Dublin hit the front, but Galway remained patient with Heaney rifling over the equaliser. It was a fitting end to a gripping game.

Scorers for Galway: Barry McHugh 0-5 (3fs, 145), Peter Cooke and Johnny Heaney 0-2 each, Adrian Varley, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh, and Gary O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Ciaran Kilkenny 0-5, Dean Rock (2fs) and Cormac Costello (2fs) 0-2 each, Jonny Cooper, Paddy Andrews, Conor McHugh (f), and Paddy Small (f) 0-1 each.

**GALWAY: **Ronan O’Beolain; Eoghan Kerin, Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh, David Wynne; Gary O’Donnell, Johnny Duane, Cathal Sweeney; Paul Conroy, Ciaran Duggan; Tom Flynn, Peter Cooke, Adrian Varley; Shane Walsh, Sean Armstrong, Barry McHugh.

Subs: Eamonn Brannigan for Varley (41), Damien Comer for Walsh (46), Johnny Heaney for Cooke (50), Sean Kelly for Armstrong (56), Declan Kyne for O’Ceallaigh (70+5, BC).

DUBLIN: Evan Comerford; Michael Fitzimons, David Byrne, Philly McMahon; Eric Lowndes, John Small, Jonny Cooper; James McCarthy, Michael Darragh MacAuley; Ciaran Reddin, Ciaran Kilkenny, Colm Basquel; Paddy Andrews, Dean Rock, Paddy Small.

Subs: Brian Fenton for Lowndes (HT), Cormac Costello for Rock (48, BC), Conor McHugh for Reddin (50), Emmet O’Conghaile for MacAuley (59), Eoghan O’Gara for Paddy Small (63), Andrew McGowan for John Small (67).

REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).