Recent meetings: Dublin v Galway (football)

Dublin footballers Galway this Sunday in Tuam Stadium (St Jarlath's Park) (live on tg4, 3.45) with a place at stake in the Allianz FL Division 1 semi-finals.

The counties most recently met last October in the concluding round of league when goals from Seán Bugler and Con O'Callaghan helped Dublin to a 2-15 to 0-15 victory in Pearse Stadium, Salthill.

Here we look back on Dublin versus Galway encounters in recent seasons. 

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2020 FL DIVISION 1 ROUND 7

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25: Pearse Stadium, Salthill

DUBLIN 2-15 GALWAY 0-15

Dublin concluded their league campaign with a win on the road when defeating Galway by two clear goals in this clash at Pearse Stadium, Salthill.

The Dubs finished up in second spot in the Division 1 table behind league champions, Kerry, who secured the title with their victory over Donegal on the same day.

Dublin trailed the Tribesmen by two points at half-time, 0-9 to 0-7, after playing into a strong wind which caused problems off kickouts in particular.

However, they had been economical in front of goal and looked in good stead ahead of the second half.

A scoring surge leading up to the second half water break saw Dessie Farrell’s men make their move for victory as they tallied 1-3 in six minutes, then after the short interval Paddy Small converted a mark after fielding a pass from Con O’Callaghan.

Con O’Callaghan hit Dublin’s second goal in the fourth minute of injury time when the Dubs turned defence into attack to telling effect.

With Galway pressing late on Stephen Cluxton, Dublin captain once again for the upcoming championship, directed a kickout toward sub Tom Lahiff who deftly deflected the ball to fellow sub Kevin McManamon whose quick, long handpass put Con into space.

The Cuala forward made ground before attempting a fisted point effort, his shot came back off the right upright and he rifled the ball to the net. A minute later he added a mark.

After Dublin's scoring burst Galway responded with a Jason Leonard score but importantly Dublin replied with the next score - Ciarán Kilkenny cleverly engineering space before kicking a point off his left.

However, the crucial goal arrived in the 50th minute, when after scores from Paddy Small (mark) and Dean Rock (free), following good tackling by Ciarán Kilkenny, sub Seán Bugler raised a green flag.

Cormac Costello, another sub, did the initial work and Bugler came onto his handpass before making no mistake, finishing emphatically to the Galway net.

SCORERS – Dublin: D Rock 0-6 (0-4f), C O’Callaghan 1-2 (0-1m), S Bugler 1-1, P Small 0-4 (0-2m), C Kilkenny 0-2. Galway: P Conroy 0-8 (0-6f), R Finnerty 0-2 (0-1f), A Varley (0-1m), S Walsh, G O’Donnell, J Leonard, L Silke 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; C Murphy, D Byrne, M Fitzsimons; E Murchan, J Small, R McDaid; B Fenton, J McCarthy; B Howard; E Lowndes, C Kilkenny; P Small, C O’Callaghan, D Rock. Subs: S Bugler for Lowndes (ht), C Costello for McCarthy (46), T Lahiff for Howard (63), K McManamon for P Small (68), P McMahon for Murphy (71).

GALWAY: B Power; S Mulkerrin, S Kelly, J Foley; L Silke, G O’Donnell, J Heaney; C D’Arcy, T Flynn; P Kelly, P Conroy, J Leonard; R Finnerty, A Varley, I Burke. Subs: M Barrett for Flynn (31), S Walsh for Burke (ht), G Sice for Finnerty (ht), C McDaid for O’Donnell (53), G Bradshaw for P Kelly (59).

REF: D Coldrick (Meath).

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2019 FL DIVISION 1 ROUND 2

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Croke Park

DUBLIN 1-15 GALWAY 0-7

A strong second-half showing saw Dublin impressively defeat Galway in this NFL Division 1 clash at Croke Park.

The Dubs led by the minimum, 0-6 to 0-5, at the break before they hit the turbo on the restart to cruise to their 11-point victory in front of an attendance of 14,502.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin also used the occasion to ‘blood’ some new faces with Liam Flatman, who is eligible for U20FC this year, Seán Bugler, U20 captain last year, Darren Gavin, an All-Ireland U21FC winner in 2017, and Ryan Basquel all making their NFL debuts, Lucan Sarsfields man Gavin as a second-half substitute. All acquitted themselves well.

It was Cormac Costello who led the way up front for Dublin, kicking five points from play as well as converting one mark in a highly dynamic showing.

The Whitehall Colmcille man was particularly active during Dublin’s scoring surge at the start of the second-half when they outscoring the Tribesmen 1-6 to 0-1 in the 20 minutes after the half-time interval.

Dean Rock grabbed the only goal of the game in the 57th minute when he reacted very smartly to a breaking ball into the danger area to beat Maghnus Breathnach from close range.

Dublin’s defensive work was solid throughout and limited Galway to just two points in the second-half, one a free.

The hard work out the field forcing Galway to kick long and early with Dublin’s defenders attacking the ball at pace with Jonny Cooper, Eric Lowndes and Michael Fitzsimons particularly to the fore.

SCORERS – Dublin: D Rock 1-5 (0-2f), C Costello 0-6 (0-1 mark), P Mannion 0-2, S Bugler, N Scully (0-1 mark) 0-1 each. Galway: C McDaid, P Cooke 0-2 each, J Heaney, S Walsh (0-1f), B McHugh (0-1f) 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; E Lowndes, M Fitzsimons, L Flatman; E Murchan, J Cooper, J Small; J McCarthy, B Fenton; N Scully, C Costello, S Bugler; D Rock, P Mannion, R Basquel. Subs: B Howard for Basquel (49), P Flynn for Bugler (55), J McCaffrey for Small (61), D Gavin for McCarthy (61), C McHugh for Mannion (66).

GALWAY: M Breathnach; E Kerin,S Kelly, SA Ó Ceallaigh; G O’Donnell, G Bradshaw, J Heaney; K Duggan, T Flynn; C McDaid, J Duane, P Cooke; P Cunningham, C D’Arcy, S Walsh. Subs: B McHugh for McDaid (ht), G Armstrong for Cooke (63), D Wynne for Ó Ceallaigh (66).

REF: C Branagan (Down).

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2018 ALL-IRELAND SFC SEMI-FINAL

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11: Croke Park

DUBLIN 1-24 GALWAY 2-12

Dublin progressed to their fourth All-Ireland SFC decider in-a-row following this nine-point victory over Galway at Croke Park.

The Dubs led 1-9 to 1-7 at half-time after an evenly balanced opening but the Dubs, inspired by the likes of Jack McCaffrey, upped their intensity and pace in the second period to book their berth in the final.

Dublin also drew energy and scoring power from their subs with Cormac Costello (0-3, 0-1f), Kevin McManamon (0-2) and Paul Flynn all contributing following their introduction.

In the opening half Dublin opened well with points from Paul Mannion and two Dean Rock frees to lead 0-3 to 0-0 inside the opening six minutes.

However, they suffered a body blow when Damien Comer timed his leap best among three Dublin players to fist overhead to Stephen Cluxton's net.

An excellent point from the tireless Brian Howard made it 0-4 to 1-1 by the tenth minute.

A few minutes later the Dubs were in trouble again with the Tribesmen were awarded a penalty for a foul on Comer but Cluxton brilliantly denied Eamonn Brannigan from the penalty spot.

It was a nervy period for Dublin but they escaped the other side without too much damage and began to exert a greater influence on the game.

Ciarán Kilkenny was very much the leader of the Dublin attack and he pointed Dublin into a 0-5 to 1-1 lead in the 13th minute. Points from Brian Fenton and Rock (free) put Dublin 0-7 to 1-1 in front.

But back came Galway who counter-attacked to telling effect and found plenty of time and space in the Dublin defence to kick three points on the spin to draw level by the 25th minute.

But Dublin did well to get in front by the break with Con O'Callaghan's 26th minute goal, following great work by Jack McCaffrey and Niall Scully, a great fillip for Jim Gavin's men.

The downside of the first half was Cian O'Sullivan being withdrawn through injury in the 28th minute with Michael Fitzsimons replacing the Kilmacud Crokes defender and enjoying a positive game.

The second half was a different story with a few early runs up the left wing by McCaffrey signaling Dublin's intent for the second period.

Paul Mannion opened Dublin's second-half account with a fisted Con O'Callaghan point making it 1-11 to 1-7 shortly after the restart.

But from the 45th minute on the Dubs began to punch holes in the Galway defence.

Points from Kilkenny, Rock (free), O'Callaghan and Dean Rock again made it 1-15 to 1-9 with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Dublin didn't let up with Costello finding the target twice in quick succession before Fenton showed some nice footwork before clipping over off his left foot.

Before the conclusion Dublin's subs contributed six points as Dublin had secured victory before the impressive Shane Walsh scored a goal late in the game.

SCORERS – Dublin: C O’Callaghan 1-3, D Rock 0-5 (4f), P Mannion 0-4, C Kilkenny, C Costello (1f) 0-3 each, B Fenton, K McManamon 0-2 each, B Howard, P Flynn 0-1 each. Galway: S Walsh 1-5 (0-3f), D Comer 1-1, I Burke 0-2, T Flynn, J Heaney, G O'Donnell, M Daly 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; E Murchan, P McMahon, J Cooper; J Small, C O’Sullivan, J McCaffrey; B Fenton, J McCarthy; N Scully, C Kilkenny, B Howard; D Rock, C O’Callaghan, P Mannion. Subs: M Fitzsimons for O’Sullivan (28 inj), C Costello for Scully (44), K McManamon for Rock (56), MD Macauley for Murchan (57), D Daly for Small (66), P Flynn for McCaffrey (68).

GALWAY: R Lavelle; D Kyne, SA Ó Ceallaigh, E Kerin; C Sweeney, G Bradshaw, J Heaney; C Duggan, T Flynn; E Brannigan, S Walsh, S Kelly; S Armstrong, D Comer, I Burke. Subs: M Daly for Armstrong (47), P Cooke for Brannigan (50), G O’Donnell for Sweeney (56), A Varley for Heaney (59), C Molloy for Kerin (66), J Duane for Bradshaw (68).

REF: B Cassidy (Derry).

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2018 FL DIVISION 1 FINAL

SUNDAY, APRIL 1: Croke Park

DUBLIN 0-18 GALWAY 0-14

Dublin are NFL1 champions again …. the fifth time in just six seasons and they did it the hard way in Sunday’s top-flight decider at Croke Park.

The Dubs lost James McCarthy, Michael Darragh Macauley and John Small (temporarily) to injury as well as playing out the last 20 minutes with 14 men following the dismissal of Niall Scully (second yellow).

Dublin showed the mettle of champions with Dean Rock ‘45’, the influential Ciarán Kilkenny, Philly McMahon, Eric Lowndes and a Rock free seeing Jim Gavin’s men to a hard-earned success.

Con O'Callaghan, fresh from his All-Ireland club SHC heroics with Cuala, was introduced for the last 15 minutes and played his role in driving his side towards the winners enclosure.

The sides entered the break on level terms, 0-8 each, after Galway had scored the last two points of the half through Paul Conroy, off his left, and a superb effort from Johnny Heaney.

The sides were level five times in the opening half and it was no surprise when they went in deadlocked.

Dublin, playing with the breeze, only trailed once in that opening half and it took a superb save from Galway goalkeeper Ruairi Lavelle to deny the All-Ireland champions a dream start when Paul Mannion shot on goal after just 15 seconds.

SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 '45') P Mannion 0-3, C Kilkenny, C Basquel 0-2 each, P McMahon, J Small, N Scully, E Lowndes 0-1 each. Galway: B McHugh 0-6 (0-6f), D Comer 0-3, J Heaney, S Walsh (0-1f) 0-2 each, P Conroy 0-1.

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; P McMahon, M Fitzsimons, D Byrne; J McCarthy, J Cooper, J Small; B Fenton, MD Macauley; B Howard, K McManamon, N Scully; D Rock, C Kilkenny, P Mannion. Subs: E Lowndes for McCarthy (35), C Basquel for McManamon (h-t), E Murchan for Small (40), C O’Callaghan for Macauley (54), S Carthy for Mannion (67), S for McMahon (73).

GALWAY: R Lavelle; D Kyne, SA O Ceallaigh, E Kerin; G Bradshaw, C Sweeney, J Heaney; P Cooke, C Duggan; E Brannigan, P Conroy, S Kelly; B McHugh, D Comer, S Walsh. Subs: G O’Donnell for Heaney (61), T Flynn for Cooke (67), P Sweeney for Conroy (67), A Varley for Walsh (69).

REF: A Nolan (Wicklow).

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2018 FL DIVISION 1

SUNDAY, MARCH 18: Pearse Stadium, Salthill

DUBLIN 0-13 GALWAY 0-13

This was a dress rehearsal for their top-flight league final just two weeks' later after drawing in this regulation clash at Pearse Stadium, Salthill.

In an at times feisty encounter Dublin trailed by five points at half-time (0-10 to 0-5) after playing into a strong wind and were also three points in arrears (0-12 to 0-9) just inside the last ten minutes.

Dublin were reduced to 14 men when Eoghan O'Gara was red-carded in the 68th minute, only on the pitch six minutes, but then hit three unanswered points through sub Cormac Costello (two frees) either side of a Ciarán Kilkenny, his fifth from play, edged Dublin in front 0-13 to 0-12 in the fifth minute of added time in front of a crowd of 10,050.

But Galway, who had already qualified for the league final, had the final word when Johnny Heaney launched the equaliser in the ninth minute of added time.

Five minutes into the second half a Dean Rock free cut the deficit to 0-6 to 0-10 and points from Kilkenny and Jonny Cooper, both from long range, as well as a Paddy Small free left the minimum in it, 0-9 to 0-10 after 55 minutes.

The Dubs had Dean Rock black-carded though in the 45th minute and he was replaced by Cormac Costello who went on to fire over two important frees late on.

The Tribesmen, playing with the advantage of the strong win, led 0-10 to 0-5 at half-time.

The Dubs had started well with early points from Ciarán Kilkenny and a Dean Rock free, following a foul on James McCarthy.

However, the hosts who operated with a counter-attacking system and several extra players retreating deep into their own defence, hit the next five points to lead 0-5 to 0-2 after 13 minutes.

Barry McHugh was on target with two deadballs (one free, one '45') with Adrian Varley, Shane Walsh and Peter Cooke also raising white flags.

Paddy Andrews got one back for the Dubs with a superb point from a very difficult angle but Galway replied with the next three points through McHugh (two frees) and Gary O'Donnell to make it 0-8 to 0-3.

Dublin did threaten during that spell with James McCarthy breaching the defence but his attempted pass to Andrews was cut out by full-back Seán Andy O Ceallaigh.

Kilkenny cut the gap to four with a fine finish before McHugh and Peter Cooke extended Galway's advantage to 0-10 to 0-4.

In the concluding action of the opening half Dublin keeper Evan Comerford fielded a Cooke point effort dropping short and set in motion a Dublin move that finished with Kilkenny shooting his third point of the half.

SCORERS - Galway: B McHugh 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 '45'), P Cooke 0-2, A Varley, S Walsh, G O'Donnell, D Comer, J Heaney 0-1 each. Dublin: C Kilkenny 0-5, D Rock (0-2f), C Costello (0-2f) 0-2 each, P Andrews, J Cooper, P Small (0-1f), C McHugh (0-1f) 0-1 each.

GALWAY: R Ó Beoláin; E Kerin, SA Ó Ceallaigh, D Wynne; G O'Donnell, J Duane, C Sweeney; P Conroy, C Duggan; T Flynn, P Cooke, A Varley; S Walsh, S Armstrong, B McHugh. Subs: E Brannigan for Varley (41), D Comer for Walsh (46), J Heaney for Cooke (50), S Kelly for Armstrong (57), J Heaney for Cooke (50), D Kyne for Ó Ceallaigh (BC 76).

DUBLIN: E Comerford; D Byrne, P McMahon, M Fitzsimons; E Lowndes, J Small, J Cooper; J McCarthy, MD Macauley; C Reddin, C Kilkenny, C Basquel; P Small, D Rock, P Andrews. Subs: B Fenton for Lowndes (ht), C Costello for Rock (BC 47), C McHugh for Reddin (50), E Ó Conghaile for Macauley (59), E O'Gara for P Small (63), A McGowan for J Small (67).

REF: J McQuillan (Cavan).