Galway 3-22 Dublin 0-16: Galway minors stride into final

Galway are through to the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final, after beating Leinster champions Dublin 3-22 to 0-16.

Dublin recorded an impressive provincial triumph by carding a 6-19 to 7-12 final victory over Kilkenny, and there was a real belief that this group could become the first from the capital to capture the All-Ireland title at the grade since 1965.

However, the Tribesmen came into the tie off the back of wins over Kilkenny and Limerick, as Jeff Lynskey's side aim to defend their title.

Rain has been an unfamiliar sight in Ireland this summer, but it bucketed down for the first half as the floodlights were turned on.

In many ways, the conditions dictated the game early on, as the Dubs and Tribesmen went point-for-point, largely with thanks to frees from Liam Dunne and Donal O'Shea.

Dunne was flawless in the first half, striking six points from placed balls, while O'Shea was equal to him.

As the tie hurtled towards half-time, the sides looked set to go into the break level, but Galway's Niall Collins was on hand to score into the Canal End goal to out his side 1-10 to 0-10 ahead at the break.

The Tribesmen were favourites heading out for the second half, given their three-point cushion and the growing Galway support ahead of the senior game.

They took full advantage, opening up a nine-point lead with a string of points.

After 46 minutes, the Tribe smelled blood and went for the kill. Goals from Dean Reilly and Adam Brett within seconds of each other heralded the end of the Dublin challenge.

Points from Diarmuid Kilcommins, Jason O'Donoghue and Donal O'Shea stretched the lead, as they won out by 15 points in the end.

They will face the winner of Tipperary vs Kilkenny, which takes place on Sunday afternoon.

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Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)

Scorers for Galway: Donal O'Shea 0-12 (0-11 frees, 0-01 65), Dean Reilly 1-03, Niall Collins 1-02, Adam Brett 1-01, Diarmuid Kilcommins 0-02, Jason O'Donoghue 0-01, Oisín Flannery 0-01.

Scorers for Dublin: Liam Dunne 0-10 (0-09 frees, 0-01 65), Conor Murray 0-01, Pearce Christie 0-01, Ciarán Foley 0-01, Dara Purcell 0-01, Daragh McLoughney 0-01, Aaron O'Toole 0-01.

Galway

1. Patrick Rabitte

4. Oisín Salmon

3. Shane Jennings

2. Michael Flynn

5. Shane Quirke

6. Seán Neary

7. Evan Duggan

8. Jason O'Donoghue

9. Oisín Flannery

10. Diarmuid Kilcommins

11. Seán McDonagh

12. Adam Brett

13. Niall Collins

14. Donal O'Shea

15. Dean Reilly

Subs:

Oisín Flannery for Seán McDonagh (41st minute)

Keelan Creaven for Niall Collins (52nd minute)

Colm Cunningham for Oisín Flannery (57th minute)

Ian McGlynn for Evan Duggan (58th minute)

Connell Keane for Dean Reilly (61st minute)

Dublin

1. Jack Lambert

2. Kevin Byrne

3. Ciarán Hogan

4. Finn Murphy

5. Eoin Carney

6. Alex O'Neill

7. Iain Ó hEithir

8. Donal Leavy

9. Darragh Power

10. Conor Murray

11. Pearce Christie

12. Ciarán Foley

13. Liam Dunne

14. Luke Swan

15. Dara Purcell

Subs:

Séamus Fenton for Dara Purcell (40th minute)

Daragh McLoughney for Pearce Christie (47th minute)

Aaron O'Toole for Conor Murray (49th minute)

Seán Foran for Ciarán Hogan (57th minute)