Galway 2-28
Dublin 1-17
Kevin O’Brien reports from O’Connor Park, Tullamore
ON THIS FORM, Galway look full value for their billing as the top dogs in the country.
There’s a long way to go before silverware is handed out in September, but Michael Donoghue’s side gave an assured display that backed up their league victory last month.
The manner of their victory wasn’t quite as pronounced as the win over Tipperary but Galway easily accounted for the Dublin challenge this afternoon.
Michael Donoghue’s side confidently booked a Leinster semi-final showdown against Offaly on 18 June.
Dublin finished with 14 men after losing Cian O’Callaghan to a second yellow card in the 40th minute. The Metropolitans trailed by three points at half-time, but three quick fire Galway scores after the break and O’Callaghan’s dismissal – the second yellow for a trip appeared harsh – put an end to their hopes.
Galway turned up the intensity a couple of notches after the break and their forwards forced turnover after turnover.
For the second game in succession, all six of Galway’s starting forwards scored from play.
There were impressive performances everywhere you looked.
Conor Cooney announced his return to the Tribe attack in style with a tally of 1-3, but Conor Whelan (0-5) and Jason Flynn (1-2) were also in electric form for the winners.
Joe Canning looked sharp, pulled the strings from centre-forward and finished with nine points, including five from play. David Burke had a license to break forward from midfield and scored 0-3, while winning a number of scoreable frees.
Galway’s plan of attack was to arrow crossfield ball into either corner. When the right ball goes into this full-forward line with its smart movement and ball-winning ability, there’s only going to be one outcome.
Named at 14, Dublin’s Niall McMorrow played as a fourth half-forward and Paul Killeen followed him out to the middle third. It left a ton of space in the Dublin full-forward line but they couldn’t find the inside forwards with enough quality deliveries.
Killeen left the fray with a serious-looking knee injury in the 25th minute, but otherwise it was all positive from a Galway perspective.
Dublin found themselves in front by 0-5 to 0-4 after the opening quarter, before Galway eventually came to life.
The ball-winning ability of the Tribe’s forward unit was obvious as Conor Cooney, Joseph Cooney and Cathal Mannion all reeled off scores in the midway point of the first half.
On 28 minutes Jason Flynn turned the sliotar home after Joseph Cooney’s initial shot was saved by Conor Dooley. Dublin were in danger of fading out of the game but a late goal from Ben Quinn, set-up by a wonderful Donal Burke pass, left them three behind at the interval.
Eight minutes after half-time, Dublin’s goose was cooked. Five unanswered Galway points sandwiched O’Callaghan’s red card and Ger Cunningham’s young side wilted from that point.
Canning popped over the numerous frees that came his way and broke a long delivery into the path of Cooney who rifled in a three-pointer.
Dublin’s day got worse when a back injury forced David Treacy off, and substitute Niall Burke scored two of Galway’s seven points in the final ten minutes.
Scorers for Galway: Joe Canning 0-9 (0-4f), Conor Cooney 1-3, Conor Whelan 0-5, Jason Flynn 1-2, David Burke 0-3, Niall Burke 0-2, Joseph Cooney, Cathal Mannion and Thomas Monaghan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin: David Treacy 0-5 (0-4f), Ben Quinn 1-0, Donal Burke 0-3 (0-2f), Eamonn Dillon, John Hetherton (0-1f), Chris Crummey 0-2 each, Shane Barrett, Rian McBride and Fergal Whitely 0-1 each.
Galway
1. Colm Callanan
2. Adrian Touhy
3. Daithi Burke
4. Paul Killeen
5. Padraig Mannion
6. Gearoid McInerney
7. Aidan Harte
8. Johnny Coen
9. David Burke
14. Cathal Mannion
11. Joe Canning
12. Joseph Cooney
13. Conor Whelan
15. Conor Cooney
10. Jason Flynn
Subs
17. John Hanbury for Killeen (25)
23. Niall Burke for Conor Cooney (56)
19. Sean Loftus for Coen (63)
24. Thomas Monaghan for Cathal Mannion (63)
22. Eanna Burke for David Burke (68)
Dublin
1. Conor Dooley
2. Cian O’Callaghan
3. Eoghan O’Donnell
4. Oisin Gough
5. Chris Crummey
6. Liam Rushe
7. Shane Barrett
9. Sean Moran
11. Niall McMorrow
10. Eoghan Conroy
8. Ben Quinn
12. David Treacy
13. Donal Burke
14. Ryan O’Dwyer
15. Eamonn Dillon
Subs
22. Rian McBride for Conroy (ht)
20. Fergal Whitely for Treacy (50)
19. Jake Malone for McMorrow (59)
25. Dotsy O’Callaghan for Burke (65)
25. John Hetherton for McMorrow (65)
Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)
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RIP niall,brilliant young hurler gone too soon
Awful news… RIP.
Sad sad news… Rest in peace
I never seen a player like Henry sheflin getting so well marked like Niall did in 2012. So sad Rip.
That is awful news. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Something so wrong about a person that young dying. Thoughts go out to his family at this the most horrible time in their lives.
Shocking sad news put everything in to second place. No answer to news like this RIP
Does it matter how this young man lost his life? He is gone. It is a huge loss to his family. God bless them in this darkest of times. Press the red thumb if you like. I for one couldn’t care less. I’m sure what is written here whether narrow minded or supportive, will not dent that family’s grief by one iota. So sad to hear of this.
I agree it doesn’t matter how he died. If it was suicide, if his death helps one person seek help. If it’s from a heart condition or due to S.A.D.S is there enough tests being done?? Either way it’s a young life gone way to early. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P
Of course it matter how he die, you can’t just sweep this national tragity under the carpet and bury your head in the sand. There is a problem here that needs to be addressed. You can’t go through life saying “I don’t care less”. Well you can, I guess, but you shouldn’t.
“I couldn’t care less” was aimed at those pressing the red thumb for people airing their condolences not about how this fine young man died. I apologise for not clarifying this. Either way, still a sad loss. God bless his family.
What a great hurler .its sickening to hear this news .to his family and friends and the club and county teams my condolences.a great Galway man and a great talent .rip
Too young… May he continue to have a good time wherever he may be now.
He will be a huge loss to Galway hurling. R.I.P Niall.
R.I.P.
RIP Niall
Such sad news so tragic, all becoming so common now a days tho unfortunately, thoughts and prayers with his family friends and team mates RIP
Why does anyone down vote condolences I don’t understand. Wonderful player
Jimmy those people can’t read they only know how to press red thumb down
With a username like Jimmy Saville you’re in no position to be judging people
I remember being at Croke park with my Father watching Gaillimh get hammered by the Kilkenny back in 2012. He was playing. Such a beautiful young son of Éireann. May he rest in peace.
Very sad R.I.P.
So sad. So young. What happened to him? Praying for the family.
Ah dear that is so sad, I hope his family and friends find some strength.
@dave, nothing in article suggests suicide or any other cause such as sudden adult death syndrome.
A journalist from the Examiner mentioned that it was suicide on twitter last night and The Samaritans are tweeting that they are there if anyone needs to talk in a tweet that mentions him. RIP.
Seemingly by his own hand sadly RIP
Too many fit young men passing like this , it so wrong and so sad May he R.I.P
Tragic…..poor family….and yet according to the Taoiseach we dont have a rising problem in Ireland……its happening way too often & sonething needs to be done to get support & help groups set up country wide. Thoughts are with this young man & his family. RIP.
To think some lowlife gave me a thumbs down for that comment is a disgrace,god love them and their narrow mind,or do they have one.
RIP and god help his poor family.
What is happening with young sportsmen dying so young. I would have thought it was auld fellas like me who get little exercise that would be the first to go, not young men in their twenties.
He gave some exhibition in the Leinster hurling final 2012. God bless him, his family and friends from a Galway hurling family in Australia.
How can any1 thumbs down comments?? Goes to show how pathetic some people are!!! Tragic loss of a young man gone way too soon, R.I.P
Yes Ann Marie they are pathetic sad people in here. They have no life other than to criticise and make stupid comments. This young mans family need respect for the terrible tragedy. RIP
Omg! Shocking! Struggling to believe this. Rip.
Have none of you lot ever heard of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome? . . . . Maybe this was how he died, hate people jumping to the conclusion that it was suicide or drugs just because he was otherwise young and healthy.
No one mentioned drugs or suicide. R i p
There was previous comments that gave thankfully been removed. Not useful to speculate in this situation as it’s not going to change anything
It may not but brushing it under the carpet is not the answer. Suicide is a scourge across communities all over Ireland. People need to be talking about finding solutions and getting people the help they need.
Yes but not when we haven’t any facts either way in this case.Why potientially pile more pain onto his family. Let’s just wait and see first .
There was no jumping to conclusions, that is what occurred. Why the Irish media refuse to use the word suicide is beyond me. It could possibly help others.
Facts or no facts a young man is dead. Nor should there be any wait and see .Please show respect for his grieving and very loving family. Rest in peace young star of the hurling field. Prayers for you and all whom you loved.
Not trying to speculate but it seems a growing number of athletes around the world are dying through undiscovered heart problems or sever dehydration/electrolyte imbalance. Wonder if there is constructive action that can be taken to minimise these problems.
RIP,far too many have gone too early .
RIP & tkx for the hurling skills you shared with us Niall.
A very talented and athletic player, God obviously needed a brilliant wing back for his team, Rest In Peace Niall
RIP : Sad news : condolences to his Family.
Rip will be really missed
So Young, May he RIP.
I can’t get my head around this. .
So sad. My condolences go out to his friends and family.
Was and would have been a marvellous hurler – some of the saddest news this year r.i.p.
Very sad… Rip
R.I.P. so sad.
Unbelievably tragedy.
RIP
RIP Niall and condolences to his family, friends, teammates and Galway GAA from a Mayo man. Tragic deaths like this certainly put loosing All Irelands into perspective.
Tragic. R.I.P. deepest sympathy to his family and friends x
very sad so much to live for and we will never understand why
R.I.P. Niall Donoghue – Kilkenny supporter
RIP young man.
Gone too soon…. Thoughts and prayers go to his family,friends and clubmates. Heaven has gained another angel xx
RIP Niall
News now saying found dead in tragic circumstances
So very very Sad R.I.P
RIP very sad news
Terribly sad news. RIP and condolences to his family.
More and more of these sad cases popping up. Are athletes these days being put through too much physical training? Is there too much of an emphasis on being ultra fit?
Such a tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family & friends.
Rest in Peace Niall
So so sad! RIP.
That is just so wrong. Poor guy. May he rest in peace
Very sad news ,may he rest in peace.My thoughts and prayers with his Family at this sad time .
So sad. He was taken too soon. May he Rest In Peace
Go ndéana Dia trocaire air. Cailliúint mhór eile.
Why! Why! Why! So very very sad. May he now be at peace
Rest in peace champ, be sorely missed!!
Niall May you rest in peace such a sad sad loss
Very sad for all friends. The best, die soon.
God bless you niall rip