Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under 21 Hurling Semi-Final

Galway 0-21 Dublin 0-19

After extra-time

By Cian O'Connell at Semple Stadium

Captain Brian Molloy inspired Galway to a narrow victory over Dublin at Semple Stadium.

Promising Kilnadeema-Leitrim star Molloy contributed 10 points for the Tribesmen, who eventually shrugged off Dublin’s challenge.

Backed by the wind in the opening period Dublin began brightly scoring five points inside 10 minutes.

Andrew Jamieson-Murphy and Cian Boland were prominent for the Leinster Champions, who were causing Galway plenty of problems.

As the half wore on, though, Galway improved considerably with Dan Nevin influential at centrefield.

Nevin scored three points before the break including a delightful 25th minute sideline cut that provided Galway with significant encouragement.

One minute before the break Galway senior star Conor Whelan was denied a goal by a brave Jonathan Treacy save.

Dublin, who registered 0-10 from 21 scoring attempts in the first half, were ahead by three at the break and the issue was delicately poised.

Chris Bennett extended Dublin’s advantage by converting a free, but Galway replied clipping four scores in a row to draw level.

Brian Molloy, Darragh Dolan, Thomas Monaghan, and Conor Whelan all found the range for the Tribesmen, who were back on terms six minutes after the restart.

Further points from Molloy and Monaghan edged Galway two ahead before Boland ended a 14 minute search for a score.

It was an interesting tussle as Fionn O’Riain Broin restored parity with an excellent effort for Dublin with nine minutes remaining.

The drama continued with Galway edging in front courtesy of a sweet Thomas Monaghan point, but Dublin forced extra-time when Cian MacGabhann equalised.

Following the first period of extra-time the teams were deadlocked at 0-18 each and then Molloy and Sean Treacy swapped scores.

Molloy rifled over two more frees for Galway, who booked a September 10 Final date against a highly regarded Waterford.

Scorers for Galway: B Molloy 0-10 (5fs, 165), T Monaghan 0-3, D Nevin 0-3 (1 sideline), C Whelan 0-2, E Burke 0-2, D Dolan 0-1.

**Scorers for Dublin: **R McBride 0-3, C Boland 0-3, C Bennett  0-3 (3fs), A Jamieson-Murphy 0-2, S Treacy 0-2 (2fs), S Barrett 0-1, J Madden 0-1, F O’Riain Broin 0-1, E Conroy 0-1, C Mac Gabhann 0-1, E McHugh 0-1.

Galway: C Tuohy; C Jennings, D O’Donoghue, D Cronin; F Burke, S Cooney, S Loftus; D Dolan, D Nevin; K McHugo, B Molloy, E Burke; T Monaghan, C Whelan, C Burke.

Subs: B Concannon for McHugo (40 mins), J Mannion for C Burke (45 mins), E Brannigan for Whelan (49-51 mins), E Brannigan for Dolan (53 mins), S Linnane for Whelan (64 mins), J Grealish for Mannion (71 mins), A Morrissey for Monaghan (76 mins).

Dublin: J Treacy; J Bellew, E O’Donnell, J Madden; F O’Riain Broin, C MacGabhann, S Barrett; R McBride, J Malone; C Boland, A Jamieson-Murphy, E Conroy; S Treacy, S O’Riain, C Bennett.

Subs: P O’Dea for O’Riain (43 mins), C O’Neill for Bennett (46 mins), E McHugh for Conroy (55 mins), B Bolger for O Riain Broin, S O’Riain for Jamieson-Murphy (69 mins), C Bennett for McBride (72 mins).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).