Galway book final berth

NHL DIVISION 1:

Galway 0-17 Dublin 0-15, Pearse Stadium

Galway booked their place in the Allianz NHL Division 1 final, despite a dogged effort from Dublin in Salthill this afternoon.

The returning Joe Canning helped the Tribesmen come out on top, after their centre-forward Cyril Donnellan and Dublin full-back Tomas Brady were sent off before half-time.

The hosts led 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, with Dubs goalkeeper Gary Maguire saving from Canning and Aidan Harte.

Alan McCrabbe, John McCaffrey and Shane Durkin all pointed as Dublin increased the tempo, but Galway held on for victory.

Galway boss John McIntyre made five changes to the team that beat Kilkenny last time out, with Portumna's Joe Canning and Damien Hayes among the players returning to the side.

Iarla Tannian, the two-goal hero against the Cats, also returning to the starting line-up, along with goalkeeper Colm Callinan and centre-back Tony Og Regan.

Dublin manager Anthony Daly kept faith with most of the side that lost narrowly to Cork last weekend. The one and only change came at wing forward where Ballyboden St. Enda's clubman Simon Lambert replaced Liam Ryan.

The Dubs had the wind at their backs in the opening half, but Galway opened well with two points from play. Donnellan hit the first and Eanna Ryan added the second, after a neat set-up by Hayes.

However, the hosts failed to score from play over the remainder of the first period, relying heavily on placed balls from Ger Farragher and Joe Canning.

Having opened their scoring account with an excellent drive by Peter Kelly, Dublin got back on terms in the 12th minute at 0-4 apiece. Alan McCrabbe (0-2) and John McCaffrey did the necessary.

Galway would have been further ahead at that stage, but for goalkeeper Gary Maguire parrying a goal-bound ground shot from Aidan Harte.

Joe Canning landed the point of the first half with a trademark sideline cut, but Dublin were competitive throughout the pitch and Kelly and McCrabbe added to the visitors' tally, leaving it nicely poised at 0-6 apiece after 26 minutes.

McIntyre sent on Portumna ace Ollie Canning, replacing right corner back Fergal Moore, as he looked to take the sting out of the lively Dublin attack.

Tempers flared just two minutes later when there was a coming together of players and referee Barry Kelly, after consulting with his umpires, decided to give Donnellan and Brady their marching orders.

Galway got the upperhand in the minutes before half-time, adding two more points, and Maguire had to produce another top drawer save to stop a Canning effort after the big wing forward had raced through from the right.

McCrabbe and Farragher swapped frees at the start of the second half, and Dublin made it a one-point game when Liam Rushe took down a high ball and played it through for the McCaffrey to point on the run.

Daly's men were beginning to hit their stride as David Treacy, Shane Durkin and McCrabbe added further points, making it 0-12 to 0-10 with just ten minutes remaining.

There was some lovely passing from the visitors as they plotted their way through the Galway midfield and defence, but two Farragher frees and an inspirational score from Ollie Canning cancelled out a Durkin point to level the game again at 0-13 apiece.

It was Galway's turn to take over and some good approach work was rewarded when Joe Canning split the posts from 45 metres and Kevin Hynes and Damien Hayes added two more points from play, leaving the Dubs with a sudden 0-16 to 0-13 deficit.

As injury-time approached, the younger Canning went off injured and Dublin staged a late revival with substitute Paul Ryan scoring from a placed ball and play.

But the clinching effort came from substitute Hynes as Galway qualified for their second league final in three years.