Treacy points way to Croker for senior hurlers

DUBLIN 1-28 GALWAY 1-19

An energetic Dublin brushes aside the challenge of Galway in Sunday's Bord na Móna Walsh Cup semi-final at Parnell Park.

The Dubs were full value for their nine-point victory and but for some fine goalkeeping by James Skehill and an acrobatic goal-line clearance by full-back Ronan Burke in the second period Ger Cunningham's men would have won by more.

Dublin progress to face Wexford, who defeated Offaly 0-14 to 0-6 in their semi-final, in next Saturday's decider (5.0) which will provide the curtain-raiser to Dublin v Kerry in the NFL in Croke Park (7.0).

The boys in blue started with intent an fired over five points inside the opening nine minutes before Galway had settled with Niall McMorrow (two), deadeye David Treacy (a '65'), his younger brother Seán, after he had brilliantly controlled a Daire Plunkett pass, and Chris Bennett.

Dublin's greater pace in the middle third kept them on the front foot and by the 23rd minute were 0-9 to 0-5 ahead following a point from the influential Plunkett.

However, by the interval the Tribesmen had reeled Dublin in following David Burke's 32nd minute goal when keeper Conor Dooley miscontrolled the sliotar when trying to prevent a point attempt and the ball dropped over the line.

By the break the sides were level 0-12 to 1-9 but following points from David Burke and Jason Flynn, that edged Galway two ahead, the Dubs came with renewed vigour and once Eamonn Dillion whipped a breaking ball to the net (pictured, below) in the 40th minute Cunningham's men did not look back.

Dublin's goal might have come a minute early when a similar opportunity presented itself to Dillon but was eventually cleared but when opportunity came knocking again the Nh Fionnbarra man made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Two David Treacy frees gave Dublin a bit more breathing space before Niall McMorrow and two stylish points from David O'Callaghan, one from either flank, put Dublin six clear, 1-19 to 1-13.

A well worked point when David Treacy and Dillon combined was followed by a superb David Treacy sideline from the terrace side and another converted free from the Cuala man made it 1-22 t0 1-14.

Going down the home straight Galway needed a goal to salvage something but Dublin's defence remained solid and composed in possession to stave off any difficulties as late poins from subs Seán Reilly and Paul Ryan finished off this contest. 

SCORERS - Dublin: D Treacy 0-12 (0-2 '65', 0-6f, 0-1 sideline), E Dillon 1-3, N McMorrow 0-4, D O’Callaghan 0-3, P Ryan 0-2 (0-1f), S Treacy, C Bennett, D Plunkett, S Reilly 0-1 each. Galway: D Burke 1-3, S Moloney 0-5 (0-4f), N Burke 0-3, E Burke, A Smith (0-1f), D Glennon 0-2 each, G McInerney, J Flynn 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: C Dooley; J Boland, O Gough, S Durkin; B Quinn, C Crummey, J McCaffrey; N McMorrow, F O Riain Broin; D Treacy, Fionntan Mac Gib, D Plunkett; S Treacy, D O'Callaghan, C Bennett. Subs: E Dillon for Crummey (21), P Ryan for Bennett (34), S Reilly for S Treacy (63), R Hardy for Durkin (69).

GALWAY: J Skehill; J Coen, R Burke, P Hoban; D Burke, G Lally, P Claffey; D Burke, P Brehony; A Smith, G McInerney, N Burke; E Burke, S Moloney, D Glennon.Subs: A Harte for Brehony (30), J Flynn for Brehony (ht),I Tannian for Lally (48), S Morrissey for D Burke (52).

REF: P O'Dwyer (Carlow).