Dublin Div 1 status preserved as Joyce fails to convert free

Dublin 0-12 Galway1-9

Essentially, it was something of a moral victory for the home side, given that a late show of character dramatically produced three points in the last two minutes, And, their first-division status was ensured when Galway substitute Tommy Joyce, hardly half a minute on the field, kicked a 40 yards free wide from the left wing. The fact that Galway made most of the running was due in large measure to the midfield dominance of Joe Bergin and Kevin Walsh (on for the injured Ja Fallon). Additionally, they exerted more pressure in attack, except that at different stages their distribution was sloppy.

Mistakes in defence led indirectly to the concession of two points, but on balance, the backs were much more consistent. Brothers Gary and Richie Fahy were always comfortable in the central positions and both Declan Meehan and Sean Og de Paor complemented their work with solid support play for the attack.

At the other end, Dublin were also strong in the full-back line, with Paul Griffin's spirited play in the left corner ultimately limiting Michael Meehan to a minor supporting role.

Conversely, Derek Savage was always a threat, Matthew Clancy did Trojan work at centre-forward and, while Derry O'Brien was effective at times, he didn't reproduce the form he displayed in the last round against Armagh. This was due in large measure to the excellence of Colin Moran, overall one of Dublin's most impressive performers.

Alan Brogan had Dublin ahead for the only time in the 28th minute, but it lasted only a minute. That was after O'Brien opted not to try for goal when Joyce put him clear. At the break Galway were ahead 0-6 to 0-5. They also looked more enterprising on the resumption when two good points from Bergin and Matthew Clancy were followed by the goal from Savage in the 47th minute. Taken in style, it was the result of an error by his marker, David Henry, when he dropped a high ball.

Yet, in spite of going five points clear, Galway were to manage just one more score, from a Padraic Joyce free in the 56th minute. And that came after three good points (the middle one a great kick from wing-back Coman Goggins), helped inspire Dublin's late rally.

Interestingly, however, Galway looked like holding out for a long time because of the strength of their defensive covering, with Tomas Meehan in particular excelling in the left corner. Ray Cosgrove, always struggling against Gary Fahy, was taken off and a more involved Ciaran Whelan was moved to the left wing.

However, it was Brogan who posed the real threat beating Michael Comer who had bettered him in the All-Ireland Under-21 final before Thomas Quinn impressed after being introduced.

Crucially, from Galway's point of view, O'Brien and Michael Meehan kicked two wides before an improved John McNally narrowed the margin to two points in the 68th minute. Then Brogan stepped in with two scores to earn Dublin a deserved draw.

* Brian White could feel well pleased with his first assignment back after injury. He kept a tight control on the play and refereed sensibly.

Scorers: Dublin A. Brogan 0-6; J. McNally 0-3; S. Ryan, B. Cullen and C. Goggins 0-1 each. Galway: D. Savage 1-1; M. Clancy 0-2; J. Bergin 0-2; M. Meehan 0-2 (0-1 free, 0-1 fifty); D. O'Brien 0-1.

DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; D. Henry, P. Christie, P. Griffin; C. Moran, J. Magee, C. Goggins; C. Whelan, D. Magee; S. Connell, S. Ryan, B. Cullen; A. Brogan, R. Cosgrove, J. McNally. Subs: D. Homan for Connell (51st minute); T. Quinn for Cosgrove (59th); L. Og O hEineachain for Ryan and J. Sherlock for D. Magee (66th). GALWAY: A. Keane; M. Comer, G. Fahy, T. Meehan; S. Og de Paor, R. Fahy, D. Meehan; K. Walsh, J. Bergin; P. Clancy, M. Clancy, D. O'Brien; M. Meehan, P. Joyce, D. Savage. Sub: T. Joyce for P. Clancy (71st).

Referee: B. White (Wexford).