Galway leave it late to level

Galway 1-11, Donegal 0-14 (full-time)

A 45 metre injury-time point from Galway captain Kevin Walsh levelled matters for the seventh time in today’s All-Ireland quarter final, and ensured another meeting between this sides in what was a poor game.

With Galway hitting 12 wides and Donegal missing the target for the 13th time on Michael Collins’ full-time whistle, Brian McEniff’s side were allowed back into this game, starting and finishing the better side.

John O’Mahony’s charges led at the break 1-5 to 0-7 thanks to a 25th minute goal from full forward Michael Meehan.

The teenager gratefully accepted a hand pass from Derek Savage from a loose ball from John Gildea, and sidestepped keeper Tony Blake to rifle to the roof of the net from eight yards.

The Ulster men hit the ground running, with the breeze at their backs, scoring seven times from seven scoring opportunities.

Six points from play gave them a 0-07 to 0-02 advantage by the 16th minute. Excellent scores from Brendan Devenney (0-3), Michael Hegarty and Kevin Cassidy were amongst them.

The Connacht champions kept in touch through frees from Padraig Joyce, with the full-forward switching out to centre half-forward to good effect.

Scores from Derek Savage and Meehan saw Galway into the ascendancy, as Donegal stuttered, evidenced by their five wides in the last ten minutes.

Paul McGonigle stepped up to draw the sides level after 60 seconds of second half play before points from Walsh, Paul Clancy and Declan Meehan gave Galway a four-point lead (1-8 to 0-7) to kick on from by the 48th minute.

With the Westerners lacking cohesion and few playing to their ability, Donegal staged a dramatic fight back.

Devenney knocked over two frees, allied to Adrian Sweeney’s acutely angled 63rd minute point and Paul McGonigle’s left-footed leveller with three minutes remaining from an unmarked position.

Substitute John Haron pointed Brian McEniff’s men into the lead on 68 minutes as cramp and a sweltering day were having their effects.

John O’Mahony’s heart skipped a beat right on full-time when midfielder Joe Bergin hit the Donegal bar with a fisted effort before captain Walsh kept Galway in the All-Ireland with his saving effort.