U20 footballers’ comeback falls just short as Galway crowned champions

ALL-IRELAND U20FC FINAL

GALWAY 1-11 DUBLIN 0-13

Galway were crowned EirGrid All-Ireland U20 football champions after holding off a brave late charge by Dublin in Saturday afternoon's final at Croke Park.

The Tribesmen led by six points, 1-9 to 0-6, seven minutes into the second half after Tomo Culhane scored the only goal of the clash.

But Dublin battled to the finish and were unlucky not to get a late free which might have pushed the game to extra-time.

Points from Mark Lavin and Lorcan O'Dell, after combining over three-quarters the length of the pitch, with Lee Gannon, one of Dublin's better performers.

Before the second half water break a fine Adam Fearon, the first of his brace during the second half, left four points in it, 1-10 to 0-9, heading into the concluding quarter.

But Tom Gray's men didn't give in with points from Mark Lavin, Lorcan O'Dell and Lavin again cutting the gap to the minimum, 1-10 to 0-12.

The next score would be crucial. And it was Galway who got it with a well-struck Matthew Tierney free.

Adam Fearon kicked his second point two minutes into added time and just in practically the last action of the contest Josh Bannon looked to have been pushed in back but Galway escaped to victory.

Galway led 0-8 to 0-5 at the break as they held the upperhand at midfield as Dublin struggled to secure primary possession off their own kickouts.

Inside the opening 25 seconds the Tribesmen were off the mark with a Matthew Tierney point from a mark.

Just over a minute later Galway looked dangerous as Ryan Monaghan headed for goal but lost his footing and was whistled for overcarrying.

Ciarán Archer opened Dublin's account in the fourth minute with a fine high, hooked shot before Tomo Culhane (free) and Matthew Tierney moved Galway 0-3 to 0-1 clear by the seventh minute.

Lee Gannon showed the way for his side when he struck over from 45 metres out to reduce the deficit.

Tomo Culhane had regained the two-point lead for Galway before Dublin hit the late two points before the first water break.

Mark Lavin pointed after Luke Swan had won the initial ball and offloaded while Brian O'Leary combined well with Lorcan O'Dell to make it 0-4 each.

Galway restarted well after the water break with points form Tomo Culhane (mark), Matthew Cooley and Culhane again (free) to move 0-7 to 0-4 clear.

Luke Swan cut the gap after doing well to win a low ball into Dublin's inside forward line but before half-time a Matthew Tierney point punished Dublin off their own kickout to lead by three at the interval.

SCORERS - Galway: T Culhane 1-6 (0-2f, 0-1m), M Tierney 0-4 (0-1f, 0-1m), M Cooley 0-1. Dublin: M Lavin 0-4 (0-1f), L O'Dell, A Fearon, B O'Leary 0-2 each, C Archer, L Gannon, L Swan 0-1 each.

GALWAY: Conor Flaherty; Jonathan McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Cian Monahan, Tony Gill, Cathal Sweeney; Conor Raftery, Cian Hernon; Paul Kelly, Matthew Tierney, Ryan Monahan; Patrick Kelly, Tomo Culhane, Matthew Cooley. Subs: Jack Kirrane for Sweeney (18), Alan Greene for Hernon (34), Eoin Mannion for Cooley (46), Daniel Cox for Paul Kelly (53), Warren Seoige for Culhane (61).

DUBLIN: Josh O'Neill; Conor Tyrrell, Adam Rafter, Josh Bannon; Rory Dwyer, Adam Waddick, Lee Gannon; Adam Fearon, Mark O'Leary; Mark Lavin, Lorcan O'Dell, Seán Lowry; Ciaran Archer, Luke Swan, Brian O'Leary. Subs: Kieran McKeon for Lowry (46), Pádraig Purcell for Fearon (64).

REF: Paul Faloon (Down).