Galway stun Dublin to reach All-Ireland semi-finals

Galway put in a stunning second-half performance to shock Dublin at Croke Park

Galway produced a superb performance to earn a first championship win over holders Dublin in 90 years with a thrilling 0-17 to 0-16 victory in a gripping All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park.

Substitute Tom Culhane’s injury-time score capped off a remarkable second-half showing as Padraic Joyce’s side booked their place in the last four.

In a tame first half, Dublin looked to be cruising to a 16th consecutive semi-final after they took a 0-11 to 0-7 lead into half time.

Cormac Costello weighed in with four points while Sean Bugler and Con O’Callaghan also got their names on the score sheet. Galway, meanwhile, were relying on moments of brilliance from attacking ace Shane Walsh.

In the second half, Galway showed more purpose in attack, and despite losing both Walsh and captain Sean Kelly to injury, the Tribesmen could count on Cillian McDaid, Johnny Heaney and Walsh’s replacement Culhane to book an All-Ireland semi-final in two-weeks’ time.

"Dublin have been the best team in the country for the last 11 or 12 years," man of the match Cillian McDaid told GAAGO.

"We spent a lot of time watching Dublin over the past couple of years in All-Ireland finals.

"But we know when we have a full team and play to our game plan then we can beat anyone. We've got our act together and we are proving it now."

Dublin were boosted by the return of James McCarthy and Jack McCaffrey, and by the 14th minute, the All-Ireland champions had opened up a four-point lead.

Brian Fenton stormed through the heart of the Galway defence to take a pass from Con O’Callaghan and his first time shot fizzed over the bar.

Ciaran Kilkenny doubled Dublin’s lead three minutes later before Sean Bugler and Cormac Costello got their names on the scoresheet.

A Walsh free broke the Dubs scoring sequence, but two more scores from Costello, one a free and one from a 45, only helped to stretch Dublin’s advantage to five.

Galway stayed in touch thanks to Walsh and John Maher, but again, once Galway got within an arm’s length of their opponents, Dublin found another gear.

Firstly, Bugler cut in from the right to knock over his second of the evening before a Costello free opened up a five-point advantage, however, on the cusp of half-time, a Walsh free for Galway saw the Westerners trail by four at the break, 0-11 to 0-7.

Galway started the second period on the front foot and the half was only a matter of seconds old when McDaid pointed for the Tribesmen.

Joyce’s men went on the dominate the third quarter but a succession of wides from Walsh, Conroy and Comer meant that Galway weren’t able to show their dominance on the scoreboard. As you would expect, Dublin took full advantage through John Small and O’Callaghan to fire the Dubs into a three-point lead.

But Galway refused to throw in the towel and helped by Walsh, McDaid and Cein Darcy, Galway drew level before a dramatic late finish saw them book an All-Ireland semi-final spot while dethroning the champions in the process.