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By Rory Houston
Result: Dublin 0-08 Donegal 0-06
1729 Thanks for reading today once again, it was a difficult afternoon in parts but Dublin showed real hunger at the end to advance. They wore down Donegal. The final will be a great occasion. Speaking of which, see you next Sunday for the meeting of Tipp and Kilkenny in the hurling decider. Thanks again.
1727 Jim McGuinness spoke of the positives Donegal achieved this year and said they came with a plan to beat Dublin today.
1723 Pat Gilroy has played down the controversy about the type of football played. He described the final against Kerry as "just another game". I don't think anyone is buying that.
1716 It is difficult to say Donegal deserved better when using that tactic. I don't think any neutal wanted to see that type of game again in the final.
1711 Amazing in the sense of style rather than entertainment, of course. I better clarify that!
1708 The Dubs have done it! Emotional scenes in Croker as they finally reach another Sam Maguire decider. It was an amazing game really, Dublin had to dig deep but they forced the scores from frees and Donegal had no answer.
Full-time: Dublin 0-08 Donegal 0-06
70 + 3 min It is off-target but the Dubs won't care. Time is up.
70 + 2 min Cluxton will try to seal the win with a free beside the Cusack Stand. It is ticking down time and that is the most important thing for Dublin.
70 min McMenamon pushes his way past two Donegal defenders and tries to feed McAuley when he should just shoot for goal. Durcan pushes it away with ease.
69 min Donegal can't create the chances when it matters and it is the Dublin defence dominating the game now.
67 min Bernard Brogan kicks it over the bar, do Donegal have anything left in the tank or will it be a Dublin v Kerry final? Dublin 0-08 Donegal 0-06
65 min Dublin start to spread the ball around the field and Paul Flynn is down. Anthony Thompson gets a yellow card for an off-the-ball incident. This is a chance for the Dubs to double the lead.
63 min It looks as if Fitzsimons handled the ball on the ground when one-on-one with McFadden in a dangerous area. It should be a free to Donegal but the referee plays on and Dublin get it away.
62 min Dublin are ahead as O'Gara's shot is blocked, Alan Brogan picks out Bryan Cullen and he rifles over the bar. Despite being a man down, Dublin are in front for the first time. Dublin 0-07 Donegal 0-06
60 min At last, a point from play for the Dubs as Kevin McManamon works very hard to get the room to shoot from 15 metres out. Eoghan O'Gara coming on for James McCarthy. Dublin 0-06 Donegal 0-06
58 min Game-changing moment as Connolly raises his fist to a Donegal player and is shown a red card. The free is awarded to Donegal instead and they manage to clear.
RED CARD - DUBLIN - DIARMUID CONNOLLY
57 min Diarmuid Connolly is brought down by McGrath for a chance to level the game for the Dubs.
55 min McMenamon challenges Durcan on the edge of the square and from the rebound he plants the ball into the back of the net. It was a foul on the goalkeeper so the goal is disallowed.
54 min And he does. Dublin have forced these scores by whatever means neccessary. Donegal need to respond. Dublin 0-05 Donegal 0-06
53 min Paul Flynn tried to find a man on the inside and a 45 is the result from the breaking ball. Cluxton will try to cut the gap to a single point.
52 min But there is the first one as Bernard Brogan knocks over a simple free after he was pulled to the ground by two Donegal defenders. Dublin 0-04 Donegal 0-06
49 min Cian O'Sullivan picks up a yellow for a high challenge, showing a bit of frustration. There are 20 minutes to go, it is difficult to see Dublin scoring three points to be honest and that sounds ridiculous, I know.
47 min We counted a six-on-one situation of Donegal against Bernard Brogan in the last attack. Donegal remain focused and keeping to this brilliantly effective style. Make no mistake about that, their performance is top notch because the gameplan is working to perfection.
1640 From Veronica Murray on Twitter: "Not good when Dublin goalkeeper has to come up to score a point".
A reminder from Veronica that Dublin have still yet to score from play.
45 min Substitute Kevin McMenamon almost gets a chance to shoot from off the ground for a goal but Donegal manage to clear it away. Despite the style it is still frantic and, of course, a physcial battle of epic proportions.
43 min McFadden cancels that out with a brilliant free in front of the Hogan Stand. Terrific shot by McFadden. Dublin 0-03 Donegal 0-06
41 min Cluxton finally gets his name on the scoresheet and it is a huge relief to the Dubs. Dublin 0-03 Donegal 0-05
40 min Cluxton is on the way up for another attempt from a free from 50 metres.
39 min Dublin are really struggling as Alan Brogan hits another wide with Durcan seeing the ball out of play. More mis-placed passing and booing from the Dublin fans.
36 min What a chance for Donegal inside the first minute. Michael Murphy sets up McFadden who jinks back, flat-footing Fitzsimons and with just the goalkeeper to beat he knocks it over the bar. There was a goal on for Donegal and, in a game like this, it could have been crucial. Dublin 0-02 Donegal 0-05
1628 The second-half is about to get underway...
1623 The attendance in Croker today is 81,436. How many are happy in terms of value for money?
1620 "If this is the future of the game I have been part of for over 40 years I hope my two-year-old grandson takes up synchronised swimming - it at least has some form of style to it."
David Sheedy
1615 A selection of Pat Spillane's comments.
"I don’t know whether to laugh or cry."
"Heaven help us, if this is the way Gaelic Football is going."
"We have watched Shiite football."
1610 Wow. That was just a poor half of football and a disgrace for the occasion that is in it. Donegal will not care. Their plan is working to perfection.
Half-time: Dublin 0-02 Donegal 0-04
35 + 3 min A trip from Murphy on McAuley results in a yellow card and a second chance for Cluxton today. He can't find the target and that should be the end of the half.
35 + 1 min Bastick knocks the ball into space and the move breaks down.
35 min Poor pass from Toye gives Dublin the chance to break as we enter three minutes of added-time.
34 min Diarmuid Connolly adds to the wide tally. The Dubs have not scored from play in the half. Amazing.
33 min Murphy spurns a good chance after being set up by something called a kick pass from 30 metres out.
32 min Karl Lacey is down with an injury but he should be OK in a minute or two.
1603 If this is "puke football", Pat Spillane and Joe Brolly will provide the tonic to settle everyone at half-time. Can't wait for the analysis.
31 min Big cheers from the Donegal supporters as an ambitious effort from Alan Brogan, albeit the only option for the Dublin forward, drifts wide.
30 min Beautiful point by McFadden as he lobs it over. This is working for Donegal, say what you want about the manner but they lead by two points. Dublin 0-02 Donegal 0-04
29 min Kevin Cassidy slices the ball over the bar with the outside of the boot as Donegal lead once again. Dublin 0-02 Donegal 0-03
27 min The Dublin fans are booing Donegal when they are on the ball due to this style of football. No sign of any more scoring chances. This is very boring.
25 min Bernard Brogan wins a free from close range to level things up once again. Lovely strike with the left foot from Brogan. Philly McMahon is on for the injury Rory O'Carroll. Dublin 0-02 Donegal 0-02
24 min Ryan Bradley scores the first point from play as, despite huge numbers back for the Dubs, Bradley finds room to shoot and Hill 16 watches in silence as it goes over the bar. Dublin 0-01 Donegal 0-02
23 min Even Hurricane Irene wouldn't get past the Donegal defence. Alan Brogan shot wide in the last attack, failing to beat the near post.
1554 "Listening in after Hurricane Irene in New York."
Matt Sexton
21 min That second-half can't come quickly enough at this rate. Bernard Brogan finally gets room to shoot but his attempt is short and Durcan can gather under the posts.
1552 Jim Flanagan reckons Donegal will have the edge in the second half for various reason according to Darren O'Hara.
20 min One tweeter calls the game "poison to the eyes" and while that may be a bit over the top, this does not make for pleasant viewing. McFadden's shot is off-target.
19 min There were 12 frees in the first 14 minutes and countless more in the last few stages of the game. McFadden has another chance from off the ground.
17 min The ball is lobbed towards the Donegal goal and it is literally five Donegal players against Bernard Brogan going for the ball. Needless to say, Donegal get it away.
1548 "Reading and listening in, in Adelaide south Australia! Croker sounds to be in great voice! Best wishes to both team for a good game! Hello to all the Fox's in Westmeath!"
Noelle (Nell) Fox
16 min It is the same result as the last kick, spurned to the right of the posts and harmlessly going wide.
15 min Karl Lacey is the latest man to be fouled as James McCarthy is penalised. There is little rhythm to the match. Murphy will try again from 50 metres, this time from his hands.
14 min It is scrappy and neither side have put too many passes together. This will be one hard-fought game.
12 min Bernard Brogan gets Dublin on the scoreboard after Neil McGee's foul from 10 metres out. Dublin 0-01 Donegal 0-01
10 min A slip from Eamonn McGee allows Bernard Brogan a chance to bear down on goal but he drags the shot wide with just Durcan to beat. The referee blows for a free out for some reason but Brogan will not be happy with that finish.
8 min A high challenge from James McCarthy results in a yellow card. Donegal have a free that Colm McFadden will take from his hands inside the 45-metre line. The Dubs are jeering but it is no use. We have a first point of the day. Dublin 0-00 Donegal 0-01
7 min Alan Brogan tries to knock it over, shooting on sight from the Hogan Stand side. Again, it is off-target. Low-scoring you say?
6 min Toye is stopped in his tracks in an illegal fashion by two Dublin midfielders. Murphy will try again from the free from the centre of the pitch, 50 metre out. It is a very poor effort and well-wide of the goals.
5 min Murphy's free curls just wide of the post, much to the delight of Hill 16.
4 min Anthony Thompson is tackled inside the rectangle in Donegal's first attack of the game but the referee waves away appeals. Dublin clear it away but they give away a free on the 45-metre mark.
3 min Diarmuid Connolly is knocked over the endline by Neil McGee as the Donegal defenders get back in numbers.
2 min Cahill wins another placed ball opportunity and calls Stephen Cluxton forward. The shot drifts wide from just off the 45-metre mark.
1 min We're underway and a frantic starts sees Dublin win a free just off half-way.
1528 Christy Toye, David Walsh and Eamonn McGee have come into the Donegal team. Neil Gallagher, Michael Hegarty and Paddy McBrearty are out it seems.
1526 A heavy rain shower will make the pitch and ball a lot more slippy that it would have been. Donegal looking fired up already. The atmosphere is building.
1524 Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Cian O'Sullivan, Rory O'Carroll, Michael Fitzsimons; James McCarthy, Ger Brennan, Kevin Nolan; Denis Bastick, Michael Darragh Macauley; Paul Flynn, Barry Cahill, Bryan Cullen; Alan Brogan, Diarmuid Connolly, Bernard Brogan.
Donegal: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, F McGlynn; A Thompson, K Lacey, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh, C Toye; M McHugh, D Walsh, R Bradley; E McGee, M Murphy, C McFadden.
1520 The ever-brilliant Joe Brolly: "It is the mother of all defensive systems. Gaelic football has never seen anything like it."
1515 Michael Murphy says Jim McGuinness has brought a lot of organisation and that he has a great love of Donegal football.
1510 Dublin have lost their last four semi-finals. This is their chance to put the record to bed. Kerry will be watching on with interest but I don't think they fear with team.
1505 Barry Cahill feels it could be a low-scoring game. I just wonder about Donegal's scoring ability. They have players that can score plenty of points on a given day and they can keep up with the Dubs I feel.
1501 Jim McGuinness said: "The players have worked hard all year. We’re looking forward to it, the players seem in good form and hopefully they go out and perform."
1458 It is going to be an interesting battle today in Croker with so much pressure on the Dubs and Donegal possessing enough quality to beat any team on their day. There will be plenty of nerves out there with both teams looking to end a long wait for a final appearance.
1452 We're going to start building to the senior game in around 40 minutes time as Dublin and Donegal meet in the All-Ireland semi-final.
1449 It was a brave effort by Galway but Dublin scored at the vital times and will play Tipperary in the final.
Full-time: Dublin 1-11 Galway 1-09
60 + 4 min Kilkenny's free should settled the outcome with the four minutes elapsed. Dublin 1-11 Galway 1-09
60 + 3 min Shane Walsh's point offers hope to Galway from a routine free. Can they find an equaliser? Dublin 1-10 Galway 1-09
60 + 1 min This looks like a great start to the day for the Dubs as Ciaran Kilkenny shoots over to double the lead. Three minutes of added time left. Dublin 1-10 Galway 1-08
60 min John Small has put the Dubs in front after a patient move. The chance was tough from 35 metres but he competently stuck the ball over. Dublin 1-09 Galway 1-08
59 min We're approaching the final minute and all we have is battles for possession in the middle of the field.
55 min Both teams are looking very nervous now and scoring chances are at a premium.
50 min As Galway rack up the wides it is the Dubs showing their class in front of the posts as Kilkenny notches a fine point from 30 metres out. We are level and extra-time is possible. Dublin 1-08 Galway 1-08
48 min Ciaran Kilkenny with a soft free and slots the ball over to bring Dublin closer to the Tribesmen. He has hit 0-03 so far today. Dublin 1-07 Galway 1-08
45 min Brilliant save by Gleeson to deny Campbell a goal as he blocked the ball on the line and cleared.
43 min Rutherson Real's second effort after winning the ball back when it rebounded off the post finally gets Dublin going in this half. Dublin 1-06 Galway 1-08
39 min Brilliant play by Conor Rabbitte to keep the ball and offload when Ian Burke ran into space to shoot over. Dublin haven't scored in 12 minutes. Dublin 1-05 Galway 1-08
36 min Cormac Costello shoots wide from 30 metres. Dublin are rattled but they have time to recover.
35 min Shane Walsh confidently slots the ball into the corner after Galway deservedly won a penalty when Burke was brought down. Dublin 1-05 Galway 1-07
GOAL - GALWAY - SHANE WALSH
PENALTY TO GALWAY
33 min Shane Walsh's free bring Galway back to within a point. Dublin 1-05 Galway 0-07
32 min Shane Maughan adds to that with another fine score from 35 metres. Dublin 1-05 Galway 0-06
31 min Conor Rabbitte hits a superb point from a tough angle to give Galway a great start to the half. Dublin 1-05 Galway 0-05
1402 It is a closer game that some expected and especially after that early goal. Galway are still in this but Dublin remain overwhelming favourites to meet Tipp in the final.
Half-time: Dublin 1-05 Galway 0-04
29 min Ciaran Kilkenny adds another score for the Dubs after a quick move from a sideline ball. Dublin 1-05 Galway 0-04
28 min That is another fine point by the Dubs as Scott Fulham splits the posts from distance from the Hogan Stand side. Dublin 1-04 Galway 0-04
26 min Rabbitte turns nicely and lobs it over the bar. Dublin 1-03 Galway 0-04
23 min Walsh makes no mistake with this free as he curls it over to put just a point between the teams. Dublin 1-03 Galway 0-03
20 min Galway have been holding their own in recent minutes, with Conor Rabbitte's shot dropping short and Walsh's free just wide.
15 min Cormac Costello capitalises on an error from James Shaughnessy and sends over a fine shot from a tight angle. Dublin 1-03 Galway 0-01
14 min Dual star Ciaran Kilkenny turns Adrian Nolan and slots it over the bar for a second point for the Dubs. Dublin 1-02 Galway 0-01
12 min Shane Walsh gets Galway on the scoreboard with a free in front of Hill 16. Dublin 1-01 Galway 0-01
8 min David Campbell spurs a glorious chance for Dublin as he rises high to claim the ball and has just the goalkeeper to beat. Campbell blasts the ball wide and right of the goal from close range.
5 min Galway have settled down and Conor Rabbitte tested the Dublin goalkeeper Ross O'Hanlon from 10 metres out as he produced a good save.
1 min Scott Fulham opens the scoring after 11 seconds for Dublin as they work a direct ball up field and Fulham blasts it into the corner of the net from close range. Dublin 1-00 Galway 0-00
GOAL - DUBLIN - SCOTT FULHAM
1330 Pat Spillane is tipping an easy Dublin win.
1326 I fancy Donegal to pip Dublin today but we'll get to that later. The minor game is about to throw-in.
1325 Did I say high spirits? I meant hammered.
1320 There was a great atmosphere on the train that brought me to Dublin today from Sligo. The Donegal fans were in high spirits.
1315 It is a sell-out crowd in Croke Park today. The Sunday Game Live is underway for users in Ireland.
1305 We'll be covering the minor game between Dublin and Galway from 1:30pm too.
Dublin v Donegal semi-final preview
The Sunday Game, which begins on RTE2 at 1.15pm, and which includes all the action and analysis from the minor semi-final between Dublin and Galway (throw-in 1.30pm) and the senior football semi-final clash of Dublin and Donegal (throw-in 3.30pm), will be streamed live here on RTÉ.ie (island of Ireland).
For schedules and details of how to link to all live sport on RTÉ.ie, click here.
