Dublin book place in U-20 Leinster final as Conor Newton ends Galway hopes

With the contest delicately poised approaching the dying minutes, the Dubs pounced for two goals in as many minutes through substitute Conor Newton and David Purcell to seal a deserved place in the provincial decider.

Dublin could not have wished for a better start as Conor Dolan’s pass from midfield was deflected by Neil Hogan into the path of Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing and the Commercials clubman made no mistake with a low finish past Darragh Walsh with just 16 seconds on the clock.

An unsettled Galway finally opened their own account through John Cosgrove soon after but they had little answer to a marauding Purcell in the eight minute as he jinked his way down the right before crashing home under Walsh’s crossbar.

Wing-back Cillian Whelan popped up with two excellent points by way of reply for Galway but a well-worked Conal Ó Riain point in the 15th minute highlighted Dublin at their fluent best.

Walsh worked wonders in denying Ó Dúlaing a second goal in the 22nd minute but that failed to prevent Dublin finishing the half on a high as three points in quick succession from Hogan, Ó Riain and Fionn Murphy left them well placed at 2-10 to 0-10 by the interval.

The sides traded points through a cagey and wasteful third quarter with scores by Jamie Conroy, Cathal Kennedy and Conor Dolan helping keep Galway at arm’s length by the end of the third quarter.

Dublin could well have rued a series of poor second-half wides but Newton ended all hopes of a Galway comeback when showing great dexterity to gather possession and force home in the 59th minute.

Within a minute, Purcell availed of some loose marking to calmly flick home with the Dublin defence ensuring there were few late scares to worry about.

Scorers – Dublin: D Ó Dúlaing 1-6 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65); D Purcell 2-1 (0-1 sideline); C Newton 1-1; C Ó Riain, F Murphy, J Conroy 0-2 each; C Dolan, C Kennedy, N Hogan 0-1 each. Galway: C Dolphin 0-4 (3f, 1 ’65); C Whelan, M Tarpey 0-3 each; C Killeen, J Cosgrove 0-2 each; R Burke (f), P Mac Cárthaigh, M Burke, V Morgan, O Lohan, J Rabbitte 0-1 each.

Dublin: K Hogan; C Groarke, D Lucey, C Kennedy; E Keys, C Dolan, J Behan; C Ó Riain, F Murphy; B Kenny, D Ó Dúlaing, D Purcell; O Gaffney, N Hogan, J Conroy. Subs: C Newton for N Hogan (40), C Stacey for Gaffney (50), D Bannan for Keys (57), C Donovan for Murphy (59), C Rock for Purcell (61).

Galway: D Walsh; C Lawless, S Murphy, J Ryan; T Leen, R Burke, C Whelan; O Lohan, M Tarpey; D Neary, C Killeen, D Davoren; C Dolphin, P Mac Cárthaigh, J Cosgrove. Subs: J Rabbitte for Neary (h-t), J O’Connor for Leen (h-t), V Morgan for Cosgrove (42), M Burke for Davoren (44), C Travers for Dolphin (54).

Ref: E Furlong (Wexford).