Hello, and welcome to The42‘s coverage of today’s All-Ireland U21 football final.
There’s all to play for at O’Connor Park, as Dublin and Galway go head-to-head for the coveted title. We’re in for a historic occasion as well — it’s the last ever U21 final as the format changes to U20 next year.
Throw-in is at 5pm (live on TG4) and we’ll be providing you with updates here.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. You can tweet us @the42_ie, or leave a comment below.
Here are the teams:
The Dubs have made one change to their starting side from their semi-final win, with Declan Monaghan returning to the half-back line. Galway have named an unchanged side.
Dublin
1. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)
2. Darren Byrne (Raheny)
3. Cillian O’Shea (Kilmacud Crokes)
4. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)
5. Declan Monaghan (Clontarf)
6. Seán McMahon (Raheny)
7. Cian Murphy (Thomas Davis)
8. Andy Foley (Clontarf)
9. Brian Howard (Raheny)
10. Tom Fox (Kilmacud Crokes)
11. Aaron Byrne (Na Fianna)
12. Glenn O’Reilly (Na Fianna)
13. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
14. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala)
15. Dan O’Brien (Kilmacud Crokes)
Subs: Evan Whelan, Paddy Small, Stephen Smith, Darragh Spillane, Tony O’Sullivan, Andrew McGowan, Chris Sallier, Ben Shovlin and Darren Gavin
Galway
1. Ronan Ó Beoláin (Mícheál Breathnach)
2. Liam Kelly (An Spidéal)
3. Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh (Leitir Mor)
4. Ruairi Greene (Killannin)
5. Kieran Molloy (Corofin)
6. Dylan McHugh (Corofin)
7. Cillian McDaid (Monivea-Abbey)
8. Peter Cooke (Moycullen)
9. Cein D’Arcy (Caherlistrane)
10. Sean Kelly (Moycullen)
11. Michael Daly (Mountbellew-Moylough)
12. Paul Mannion (Kilconly)
13. Robert Finnerty (Salthill-Knocknacarra)
14. Eoin Finnerty (Mountbellew-Moylough)
15. Dessie Conneely (Moycullen)
Subs: Cormac Haslam, Pádraic Ó Curraoin, Colm Brennan, William Finnerty, Colin Brady, Antaine Ó Laoi, Michael Boyle, Eric Lee, Colm Mannion
The referee is Ciaran Branagan from Down.
Galway pulled off a huge victory over Kerry in the semi-final, while Dublin beat Donegal. They’re the two most successful counties at underage level, with four titles apiece since 2000. Dublin last won in 2014, and Galway’s last title came in 2013.
It’s the first final meeting between the sides since 2002 — the Tribesmen won back then by eight points.
We should be in store for a cracker today.
Some pre-match reading to get you in the mood as we await throw-in:
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Have Galway already peaked, the impact of club games on Dublin’s build-up and the last ever U21 final
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All-Ireland dual winner, Meehan-Armstrong goals and James Horan’s hurling role
How is it going to go?
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-0
6 mins – Con O’Callaghan taps over a close range for Dublin into a swirling breeze.
Dublin 0-2 Galway 0-1
7 mins – Galway off the mark, Daly makes no mistake on this occasion from play.
Brilliant goalkeeping by Galway’s Ronán Ó Beoláin to flick the ball away as Colm Basquel was trying to net from close range.
Sub: Dublin bring in Darren Gavin for Andy Foley, an injury doubt before the game.
A low snap shot by Aaron Byrne for Dublin rolls wide but it didn’t look like the goal was ever really on there.
Dublin 0-3 Galway 0-1
14 mins – Colm Basquel sees his first shot off his left blocked but he gathers the rebound to pop over a point with his right.
Dublin 0-4 Galway 0-1
18 mins – Basquel on target again, clipping over his second point of the game, this time with his left foot.
Dublin 0-4 Galway 0-2
20 mins – Galway badly needed something to inspire them and Eoin Finnerty supplies a superb point, kicking over after an excellent incisive run.
Dublin 0-4 Galway 0-3
21 mins – And another brilliant score for Galway! This time from wing-back Cillian McDaid as he raises a white flag after surging forward from defence.
Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-3
23 mins – A second point of the day for Glenn O’Reilly and Dublin go two clear.
Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-4
29 mins – Galway’s first point of the game from a free. Peter Cooke converted after corner-back Ruairí Greene was fouled.
It’s not been a cracking game so far, very cagey and both sides struggling to get into a proper rhythm.
Half-Time: Dublin 0-5 Galway 0-4
Galway have made a change. They bring on Corofin’s Colin Brady, semi-final goalscorer against Kerry, for Robert Finnerty.
Dublin 0-6 Galway 0-4
He’s done it again! Another early score for Dublin’s Glenn O’Reilly.
Galway come close to hitting the net but it drills wide. Dublin play the ball nicely around the middle before the Tribesman break down the attack. It’s still 1-8 to 0-4.
Changes for both sides: Tom Fox is on for Darragh Spillane, as Michael Boyle replaces Dessie Conneely.
Dublin 1-9 Galway 0-4
41 mins – Dan O’Brien hits a huge point for the Dubs as the gap is widened to 8 points.
Dublin 1-9 Galway 0-5
43 mins – Important score for Galway’s Paul Mannion. Meanwhile, Eric Lee replaces Sean Kelly.
Dublin 1-10 Galway 0-5
45mins – Brian Howard with a superb point. Chris Sallier is on for Glenn O’Reilly.
Dublin are closing out any potential Galway threats comfortably. The Westerners need something special if they are to tip this game in their favour.
Dublin 1-10 Galway 1-6
Corofin’s Kieran Molloy grabs another back. Is there a huge comeback on the cards?
Dublin have a goal chance saved at the other end, and Galway really are building momentum.
Dublin 1-10 Galway 1-6
55 mins – Super save! Comerford denies Greene and it then hits the post.
Dublin 2-11 Galway 1-7
59 mins – Andrew McGowan on for McMahon and Padraic Ó Curraoin for Molloy. O’Callaghan with another free.
GOAL for Galway!
61 mins – Brennan hits an injury time goal. There’s a bit of a tussle in the area but it finds the back of the net.
Late Dublin substitutions: Stephen Smith on for Byrne and Paddy Small for Basquel.
Full time: Dublin 2-13 Galway 2-7
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ALL top players get targeted, whether you like it or not it’s part of the game. 99% of those get on with it,hold their nerve and get on with it, like it or lump that’s how it goes. Those saying he shouldn’t be subjected to it are obviously turning a blind eye to Philly and Johnny. Can’t put your hand on an official like that.
I’m a Dub and i must admit i’m sick of Connolly’s temper tantrums and spoiled child antics.He’s acting the maggot for quite a long time at this stage.
While blessed with a natural talent i don’t even believe he deserves the credit he gets at times.The talk of one of the greats is hogwash.The greats dont act the eejit like he does and let his fellow team mates down with such regularity.How many games has he dominated anyway?I dont remember him consistently performing to a high standard in many if any All Ireland semi or final?A fleeting moment of brilluance here or there is his lot.
Diarmuid go away and have a think about your crazy ways.Take your suspension on the chin and relect.You have very little between the ears my friend.As crazy as it sounds,you are a liability and we maybe better off without you.
A great football but proven tug, even take out his on the pitch antics he was lucky not to do time for beating a person up.
12 weeks ban. End off. Now stop talking about it. You would think he nearly killed him the way he is being talked about
@Shaun Gallagher: you are the perfect embodiment of what’s wrong with the GAA when it comes to referees. Swear at a referee and you should be sent off. Touch one and you should expect to have your season ended. People should be jumping up and down about this, not moving on as you call it.
Why does Jim Gavin keep picking him when Connolly let’s him and Dublin down again and again. Connolly may be arguably the best player in the country but it’s going to cost Dublin big time some day when he inevitably gets himself sent off in a big game against Mayo or Kerry. It’s not like Dublin don’t have talented players to play in his place
@Declan Clancy: maybe Connolly pointed his finger in Gavins face and threatened him as well!!!
Spillane is a gob-shiite. Always was – always will be.
@Carl Ingalls: perhaps so. Doesn’t mean he’s not correct here, though. Connolly clearly has a serious attitude problem and maybe the lengthy suspension he’ll probably face here might finally make a difference to him. Either that, or management decide he’s a liability that can’t be risked any more. One way or the other, even the most blinkered Dubs fan has to realise that Connolly can’t continue in the same way.
@Carl Ingalls: and Diarmuid Connolly is thug. Always was – always will be.
@Carl Ingalls: And Connolly is a thug. Always was – always will be.
@Jumperoo:
He’s using his position as public pundit to orchestrate a smear campaign against the Dubs with a view to smoothing the path for his beloved Kirree.
@Carl Ingalls: not at all this is aimed at Connolly not the Dubs.. and he is right you cannot touch the refs simple
@Carl Ingalls: maybe Spillane is a gob-shite but Connelly still deserves a 12 week ban same as the Tipp goalkeeper got for minimal contact.
Connolly is a problem. Management can solve it…week, poor & indecisive management team.
@Quad Quad: Weak and poor management team?? Haha I think the over flowing trophy cabinet says otherwise.
@Ciara Baines: good management isn’t all about silverware. Put any of the so called good managers in charge of the likes of Leitrim or Longford and see how good they turn out to be. Easy to be good managers when some club teams in Dublin have more senior players than whole counties.
That aside what has Dub management done to deal with persistent indiscipline from Connolly.
Tipp hurling manager had a discipline issue with top player and cut him from panel immediately.
Touch an official and it should be a minimum 6 months not three. That should be a season ender for him, he’ll likely be free for the all Ireland final which is a joke.
The GAA are a laughing stock the way they treat their referees. Players have no respect for them and never will till the suspensions get serious.
Pat Spillane and Colm o Rourke were far too enthusiastic last night in trying to make sure Connolly gets a lenthly ban I wonder why? was their selfish reasons involved? Surely not:-):-) But these two pillars of nobility would do well to remember if you prod a bear too often the bear might put better players on the field than Diarmuid Connolly and end up giving you a right hammering.
Saturday evening it looks like Johnny Cooper got Brendan Murphy the Carlow midfielder sent off by mouthing.
Connolly should change codes, players get generally better protection by match officials in Hurling harder to target and wind up quality players
@Ciarán: wow. You clearly know very little about hurling.
@Jumperoo: Played it for 18 years and counting please tell me more about my experience with the game
@Ciarán: played both codes myself, into my 40s. Played inter county in one of them. In my experience, no difference in the amount of ‘protection’ in one over the other. Maybe your experience is different.
Four months of this shite now.
@Colm Buckley: clown