Allianz Football League Division One South

DUBLIN 2-16 GALWAY 1-15

By Cian O'Connell at Tuam Stadium

Substitute Aaron Byrne struck a sweet late goal to seal Dublin's win over a spirited Galway outfit.

Byrne's splendid major in the closing stages ensured Dublin eventually shrugged off Galway's resistance.

Dublin just had sufficient craft in attack with Cormac Costello and Con O'Callaghan influential.

At the interval Galway could reflect with satisfaction on an extremely hard working display against the standard bearers.

Organised defensively and willing to break at speed Dylan McHugh was a prominent contributor for Padraic Joyce's charges, who were primed for a battle.

Early Peter Cooke and Paul Conroy scores provided hope for Galway, but Dublin did show glimpses of their considerable ability.

Indeed Galway went close to rattling the Dublin net in the first quarter, but Dublin survived a real scare following Matthew Tierney and Seán Kelly attempts.

At the opposite end of the field, though, Ciarán Kilkenny and Costello did mine good scores for Dublin during a decent opening period.

Shane Walsh clipped three of the last four points before the break ensuring the teams departed deadlocked, 0-8 each.

When the action recommenced Costello clipped a point and that was briskly followed by an O'Callaghan goal in the 40th minute.

The Cuala attacker reacted promptly to palm a goal following a Bernard Power save from Niall Scully.

Dublin controlled in the third quarter with O'Callaghan causing Galway bother as the visitors edged 1-13 to 0-10 ahead by the 51st minute.

Galway, though, remained defiant and when Matthew Tierney connected with an inviting Conroy delivery the gap was cut to 1-14 to 1-12.

Despite Galway's enthusiasm Dublin stayed cool with O'Callaghan releasing Byrne, who supplied the required finish to set up a semi-final tussle against Donegal.

Avoiding relegation is Galway's mission with a trip to Monaghan next on the agenda.

Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 0-6 (1f), Con O'Callaghan 1-3, Aaron Byrne 1-0, Ciarán Kilkenny 0-3, Brian Fenton and Colm Basquel 0-2 each.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-10 (5fs, 3 45s), Matthew Tierney 1-0, Peter Cooke 0-2, Dylan McHugh, Rob Finnerty, and Paul Conroy 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Michael Shiel; David Byrne, Jonny Cooper, Michael Fitzsimons; Eric Lowndes, Seán McMahon, Eoin Murchan; Brian Fenton, Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne; Niall Scully, Ciarán Kilkenny, Brian Howard; Colm Basquel, Con O'Callaghan, Cormac Costello.

Subs: Robbie McDaid for McMahon (50), Seán Bugler for Ó Cofaigh-Byrne (50), Dara Mullin for Scully (64), Aaron Byrne for C Basquel (66), Tom Lahiff for Cooper (69).

GALWAY: Bernard Power; Jack Glynn, Seán Kelly, Seán Ó Maolchiaráin; Dylan McHugh, Kieran Molloy, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, Matthew Tierney; Johnny Heaney, Peter Cooke, Finnian Ó Laoi; Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Paul Kelly.

Subs: Eamonn Brannigan for P Kelly (46), Ciarán Potter for Glynn (48), Mattias Bairéid for Ó Laoi (54), Tomo Culhane for Finnerty (59), Johnny Duane for Molloy (63), Tom Flynn for Cooke (63).

REFEREE: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).