Cloonan drives Galway to win over Dublin

Galway 1-14, Dublin 2-6

Former AllStar Eugene Cloonan swooped for 1-6 as gallant Galway got their National League Div 1A challenge off to a flier in Dublin.

The big Athenry full-forward gave an exhibition of scoring at Parnell Park and volleyed home a 16th minute goal to leave the visitors 1-6 to 0-1 ahead before Dublin knew what hit them.

The game looked to be over at that stage with Galway running riot but credit to Dublin who, with dual star Conal Keaney leading the line, fought back bravely.

Keaney hit 2-3 of the Dubs' overall tally and his first goal on the stroke of half-time kept the Blues in with a shout at 1-2 to 1-8 behind.

Dave Sweeney pointed for Dublin straight after the restart and despite a couple of Cloonan points in reply it looked like Humphrey Kelleher's side were mouting a fightback.

Keaney converted two more frees before rifling home a 21m free to the net seven minutes from time to leave just five points in it at 2-5 to 1-13.

However, there was to be no late reprieve and a Cloonan point moments before the whistle ensured a deserved Galway win.