Johnny McGrath, Galway, and Con O'Callaghan, Dublin, in All-Ireland SFC action at Pearse Stadium. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
All-Ireland SFC Group Four
Dublin 1-18 Galway 2-14
By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium
It sizzled from start to finish in Salthill on an evening that was all about Dublin's defiance.
Ultimately, Tom Lahiff's last gasp point earned Dublin a win that was both encouraging and valuable. Following the bitterly disappointing Leinster SFC defeat against Meath, Dublin summoned a gutsy response in the west.
Dessie Farrell's outfit were primed for a battle, adequately dealing with a couple of second half Galway goals when stern questions were being posed by the Connacht champions. Dublin, though, were durable and did enough to glean the spoils.
With Ciarán Kilkenny influential, Dublin enjoyed a productive opening period, departing at the break 1-9 to 0-8 ahead.
Initially, Galway, prompted by the splendid Rob Finnerty, moved 0-6 to 0-3 in front, but Dublin were unperturbed.
Con O'Callaghan was beginning to motor smoothly with Dublin pouncing for a crucial 20th minute goal. Liam Silke was stripped of the ball, with Cormac Costello scampering clear to make the Galway net dance.
Seán Bugler and O'Callaghan added scores for Dublin, who assumed a 1-6 to 0-6 advantage.
Finnerty gathered a gorgeous Matthew Thompson pass to trim the deficit with a Galway point, but Dublin rifled over three of the next four scores before the break.
Galway thundered back immediately after the restart. Cillian McDaid's delivery was expertly controlled by Thompson, who mined a tonic Galway goal.
Finnerty and Thompson briskly added points to steer Galway 1-10 to 1-9 ahead. Dublin stayed cool and composed.
A Costello free restored parity, and then Brian O'Leary, the increasingly prominent Lorcan O'Dell, and Kilkenny supplied further points.
Dublin were four to the good, 1-16 to 1-12, when Galway struck for a 55th minute goal. Another McDaid effort caused panic with John Maher and Matthew Tierney keeping the ball alive for Finnerty to palm a goal.
Kieran Molloy's cute pass enabled Maher to level matters again with 10 minutes left. The drama was continuing to unfold.
Kilkenny crafted an opportunity that Costello converted. John Daly provided an assist for Matthew Tierney to get Galway back on terms.
When the need was greatest Lahiff clipped over a sweet winner in the dying embers of an entertaining tussle.
A Croke Park contest against Armagh is next for Dublin. Galway make the long trek to Celtic Park for a match with Derry that can certainly be classed in the critical category.
Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 1-3 (2fs), Con O'Callaghan, Seán Bugler, and Lorcan O'Dell 0-3 each, Ciarán Kilkenny and Killian McGinnis 0-2 each, Tom Lahiff and Brian O'Leary 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Rob Finnerty 1-6 (1 2pt, 1f), Matthew Thompson 1-1, Shane Walsh (2pt) and Matthew Tierney 0-2 each, Johnny McGrath, John Maher, and Cilian McDaid 0-1 each.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Seán MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Seán Bugler, Brian Howard, Alex Gavin; Ciarán Kilkenny, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne; Killian McGinnis, Lorcan O'Dell, Cormac Costello; Brian O'Leary, Colm Basquel, Con O'Callaghan.
Subs: Tom Lahiff for O'Callaghan (45), Niall Scully for O'Leary (50), Cian Murphy for Clancy (53-55, temp), Cian Murphy for Gavin (55), Greg McEnaney for McGinnis (60), Luke Breathnach for Bugler (62).
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Liam Silke, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin; Dylan McHugh, Seán Kelly, Cian Hernon; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Céin D'Arcy, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid; Matthew Thompson, Rob Finnerty, Matthew Tierney.
Subs: Peter Cooke for Thompson (41-53, temp), Kieran Molloy for Conroy (53), Peter Cooke for Seán Kelly (53-60, temp), Daniel O'Flaherty for Hernon (55), Peter Cooke for Shane Walsh (60), Tomo Culhane for D'Arcy (65), John Daly for Silke (67).
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
