Galway relegated despite draw with finalists Dublin

GALWAY 0-15 DUBLIN 2-09

Galway salvaged a battling draw with Division 1 finalists Dublin at Pearse Stadium, but their efforts were in vain.

The Tribesmen's poor results earlier in the campaign mean that they have been relegated from the top flight of the Allianz Football League along with Monaghan.

Goals from Alan Brogan, who was sent-off for clashing with Johnny Duane, and Pat Burke gave Dublin a 2-07 to 0-06 half-time lead.

But Galway responded brilliantly, rattling off point after point and a final score from Cormac Bane gave them a share of the spoils.

They might even have snatched a come-from-behind win at the death, however Gary Sice's shot from 45 metres out was saved by goalkeeper Michael Savage.

Early on in Salthill, Dublin's pace and power had Galway struggling and Alan Brogan fired home an opportunistic goal in the third minute.

A pass from Owen Concannon was intercepted by Paul Flynn and he sought out Brogan who quickly beat his marker and slotted past Adrian Faherty and into the net.

Galway veteran Padraic Joyce responded with a free before Brogan was given a straight red card following an altercation with promising Galway youngster Duane. Referee Pat Fox consulted with linesman Vincent Neary before dismissing Dublin's early goal scorer.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Dublin continued to cause Galway problems and Pat Burke blasted home a 28th minute goal. Late points from Bernard Brogan (0-02) and Flynn ensured Pat Gilroy's men went in at the break with a seven-point advantage.

The visitors extended their lead to eight points five minutes after the restart when Bernard Brogan fired over a free, but then Galway summoned a brilliant response.

Tomas O Flatharta's side displayed great passion and willingness to run the ball and it paid dividends as they came thundering back on the scoreboard.

Eight points on the spin from Bane (0-02), Paul Conroy (0-02), Joyce, Sice and substitutes Gareth Bradshaw and Kevin Brady brought Galway back on terms with 11 minutes left on the clock.

Conroy was also denied by Dublin net minder Savage as the hosts hunted for a goal from close range, with Joyce and Bradshaw doing their best to keep the home side in the hunt.

Impressive Dublin substitute Dean Kelly ended a 25-minute search for a score for Dublin with a smartly-taken point that edged the Metropolitans in front once more, but Galway were not finished.

Joyce's quickly-taken free manufactured space for Bane to kick a glorious effort from near the sideline as Galway fought back again.

It did not matter though as the draw was not enough for the Tribesmen to avoid playing in Division 2 next year. Dublin's thoughts, meanwhile, have already switched to the league decider against Cork in two weeks' time.

Scorers - Galway: C Bane (0-02f), P Joyce (0-04f) 0-04 each, P Conroy 0-03, O Concannon, G Bradshaw, G Sice, K Brady 0-01 each

Dublin: B Brogan 0-05 (0-04f), A Brogan, P Burke 1-00 each, D Bastick (0-01sl), S Murray, P Flynn, D Kelly 0-01 each

GALWAY: A Faherty; A Burke, C Forde, J Duane; G O’Donnell, G Higgins, G Sice; J Bergin, F Hanley; M Clancy, O Concannon, C Kenny; P Joyce, P Conroy, C Bane.

Subs used: N Coyne for O’Donnell (half-time), G Bradshaw for Clancy (42 mins), K Brady for Kenny (51).

DUBLIN: M Savage; P McMahon, P Brogan, N Devereux; P Casey, G Brennan, K Nolan; D Bastick, S Murray; P Flynn, P Burke, B Cullen; B Brogan, D Connolly, A Brogan.

Substitutes: M Fitzsimons for Devereux (half-time), D Kelly for Burke (53 mins), D Lally for Connolly (60), P Andrews for Cullen (67).

Referee: Pat Fox (Westmeath)