Whelan goal decides Dublin-Galway clash

Dublin 1-10 Galway 0-12, Westmanstown

Reigning Leinster champions Dublin scored a notable 1-10 to 0-12 victory over Galway in a challenge match played this afternoon at Westmanstown.

Ciaran Whelan's 48th-minute goal effectively decided what was an open clash, and gave Paul Caffrey's Dubs a welcome boost ahead of their Leinster SFC opener against Meath or Kildare on June 3.

The Metropolitans led 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval against Galway, having played started with the backing of the wind. But Peter Ford's visitors will be disappointed that they did not overhaul Dublin, as they had plenty of chances in the second half to do so.

Whelan's goal gave Dublin a much-needed six point cushion - the big midfielder raced onto a ball through from Bryan Cullen and finished with aplomb past Galway goalkeeper Colm King.

King had done well to deny Shane Ryan a goal in the first half, palming the Dublin midfielder's effort away from close range.

After Whelan's strike, five points on the bounce from the Tribesmen threatened the home side's lead, but late scores from substitute Declan O'Mahony and an off-form Alan Brogan saw Dublin win out.

Thanks to some fine shot-taking in the first half, Tomas Quinn (0-4) and Conal Keaney (0-3) led the Dublin scoring, while Nickey Joyce (0-5) and Fiachra Breathnach (0-3) were the most prolific of the Galway forwards.

Galway are the first of the two sides into championship action - they meet Mayo in a repeat of last year's Connacht SFC final at Pearse Stadium on May 20.

DUBLIN: J Leonard; N O'Shea, R McConnell, S O'Shaughnessy; P Casey, B Cullen, C Goggins; S Ryan, C Whelan (1-0); D Murray, R Cosgrove, D Connolly; A Brogan (0-2), C Keaney (0-3, 1f), T Quinn (0-4, 1f).

Subs used: D Lally for Murray, D O'Mahony (0-1) for Ryan, M Vaughan for Cosgrove.

GALWAY: C King; K Fitzgerald, F Hanley, M Comer; D Meehan, N Coyne, G Sice; J Bergin (0-1), B Cullinane; F Breathnach (0-3), J Fallon, N Joyce (0-5, 2f); D Savage, P Joyce (0-2), C Bane (0-1).

Subs used: A Glynn for Coyne, F Burke for Savage, D Mullahy for Sice.

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)