Dubs fall as win steers Galway out of relegation

Dublin 0-14 Galway 1-14

Galway claimed a critical Allianz NFL Division 1 victory at Parnell Park tonight to scrape further away from the relegation zone.

Despite struggling at the outset, Galway recovered to eke out a gutsy win that was laced with tidy football.

Dublin started the game in blistering fashion as Galway were unable to match the Leinster champions' intensity during the first 10 minutes.

Pat Gilroy's side reeled off three points without reply courtesy of Bernard Brogan (0-2) and Kevin Bonner.

Galway were finding it difficult to create space as Dublin packed their defence with bodies, and Eoin Concannon eventually stroked over a free in the 12th minute to get the Tribesmen off the mark.

A pair of Brogan frees edged Dublin further ahead, but then Galway enjoyed a spell of supremacy as they struck 1-7 without reply either side of half-time.

The promising Concannon whipped over three points on the spin, and the improving Tribesmen then bagged a goal in the 31st minute when susbstitute Paul Conroy's delivery was gathered by Fiachra Breathnach, who bundled the ball over the line.

Shortly afterwards, Nicky Joyce kicked a free from an acute angle, and the roaming Gareth Bradshaw added a a beauty from play as Galway, who had struggled initially, edged clear.

Joyce ended the first half's scoring with another free as Joe Kernan's charges went in, armed with a 1-7 to 0-5 interval advantage.

Unsurprisingly, the third quarter was tight as Dublin gradually recovered with Brogan razor sharp when presented with opportunities in the scoring zone.

But Galway were a threat at the opposite end too as Gary Sice, Joyce and Concannon all sqeezed over points to leave their side 1-10 to 0-8 in front after 48 minutes.

The match was dripping with honest football, and Dublin came storming back as Brogan (0-3), Cian O'Sullivan and Conal Keaney all pointed to level matters with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Galway were not helped by the harsh dismissal of Declan Meehan, who was given a second yellow card for shoving Paul Flynn off the ball, but Concannon clipped over a free to put the visitors one up.

Kernan's side then landed two more delightful efforts as Concannon (0-2) and the excellent Sice gave them a four point cushion and though Brogan responded, sufficient damage had been inflicted as the Dubs fell to their second successive league defeat.

Scorers - Dublin: B Brogan 0-11 (0-7f), K Bonner, C O'Sullivan, C Keaney (0-1f) 0-1 each

Galway: E Concannon 0-08 (0-5f), F Breathnach 1-0, N Joyce 0-3 (0-2f), G Sice 0-2, G Bradshaw 0-1

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P Conlon, R O’Carroll, P MacMahon; B Cahill, C O’Sullivan, H Gill; E Fennell, R McConnell; A Hubbard, P Flynn, K Bonner; D Henry, B Brogan, K McManamon.

Subs used: M MacAuley for Fennell, B McManamon for Bonner (both half-time), C Keaney for Henry (46 mins), B. Kelly for Hubbard (65).

GALWAY: É Ó Conghaile; K Fitzgerald, F Hanley, D Burke; D Meehan, D Blake, G Bradshaw; B Cullinane, N Coleman; G Sice, F Breathnach, J Bergin; E Concannon, N Joyce, M Clancy.

Subs used: D O'Neill for Burke (17 mins), P Conroy for Cullinane (29), G O'Donnell for Blake (61), C Healy for Breathnach (70).

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)