Galway thrived in the chaos, but ultimately Dublin's composure won out in this absorbing All-Ireland SFC round-robin Group 4 contest.
Tom Lahiff slotted the winning point with the last kick of the game as he found himself in a perfect spot some 30 metres out from goal after the hooter sounded, and his clean, accurate finish was typical of Dublin’s performance throughout this encounter.
When the game was calm and measured, they were in control. Seán Bugler’s return to action was an instant upgrade on the team that lost a first Leinster SFC game in 15 years last month, and their methodical dismantling of Galway’s kickout helped them establish a fully-deserved 1-09 to 0-08 half-time lead, despite playing into a strong breeze and conceding the only two orange flags of the game to Shane Walsh and Robert Finnerty.
Then the second half started, and Galway exploded into life. A high and hopeful kick by Cillian McDaid was pulled down and slammed to the net by Matthew Thompson after 13 seconds, and with the crowd of over 20,000 still celebrating, Robert Finnerty and Thompson added more points to nudge the Tribesmen into the lead.
Then Ciaran Kilkenny made a superb interception to set up the first of three second half points for Lorcan O’Dell, and a couple of injury stoppages followed, including one that saw the in-form Thompson withdrawn temporarily. That was all Dublin needed to restore order to their play, and once again they managed the ball and engineered good high percentage scoring chances that saw them go four points up once again.
Approaching the last ten minutes, Galway needed another life-line, and once again McDaid firing the ball up into the cloudless sky was the precursor to a huge moment. John Maher did brilliantly to leap up and keep the ball in play, and in a volleyball-like play, Matthew Tierney then jumped to flick the ball across the square, leaving Rob Finnerty to ready the move and arrive in the right place to flick the ball to the net.
Kieran Molloy’s immaculate pass into Maher allowed last year’s Player of the Year nominee to level the game, and when Dublin followed up with a Niall Scully wide that looked like a certain point and an overly ambitious effort from Cormac Costello that also sailed wide, the game was once again on Galway’s terms - fractious, fractured and set to be settled by moments, rather than method.
Costello was on target with his next effort, then the Tribesmen got a huge boost when a harsh overcarrying call against Greg McEneaney and a 50 metre penalty for not allowing the tap-and-go to develop led a free on the 45 metre line. John Daly turned down the two-point attempt and instead played in Matthew Tierney with an immaculate pass, and the big Oughterard player had the strength and the composure to hold off a tackle and fist the ball over the bar.
That all set up the final play, and when it mattered most, Dublin worked the ball over and back until Galway lost their shape, allowing Lahiff to strike the winner.
It was all reminiscent of the first half, when Dublin got off to a fine start with points from Bugler and Killian McGinnis, before Galway leaned on their strength of kicking from range to go 0-05 to 0-02 ahead with those haymakers from Walsh and Finnerty. From the position of leading by 0-06 to 0-03 midway through the first half however, the second quarter was a masterclass of control and thought.
Dublin offered up the short kickout to take Galway’s fielders out of the game and were ravenous in swallowing up their hosts from close range, and it was one such play that saw Liam Silke misplay a solo, allowing Costello to swoop in and ruthlessly slot in the opening goal.
They were patient and measured when in possession, kicking three of the last four points, including a Ciarán Kilkenny score after the hooter.
The next time the hooter was to sound, the Dubs would also be ready to pounce, this time for a crucial winner.
Scorers - Galway: Rob Finnerty 1-06 (1 tp, 1f), Matthew Thompson 1-01, Shane Walsh (tp), Matthew Tierney 0-02 each, Johnny McGrath, John Maher, Cilian McDaid 0-01 each.
Dublin: Cormac Costello 1-03 (2f), Seán Bugler, Lorcan O'Dell, Con O'Callaghan 0-03 each, Ciarán Kilkenny, Killian McGinnis 0-02 each, Brian O'Leary, Tom Lahiff 0-01 each.
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Liam Silke, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin; Dylan McHugh, Seán Kelly, Cian Hernon; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Céin D'Arcy, Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid; Matthew Thompson, Rob Finnerty, Matthew Tierney.
Subs: Peter Cooke for Thompson (40-52, temp), Kieran Molloy for Conroy (53), Cooke for Seán Kelly (53-60, temp), Daniel O'Flaherty for Hernon (55), Cooke for Shane Walsh (60), Tomo Culhane for D'Arcy (65), John Daly for Silke (67).
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Seán MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Seán Bugler, Brian Howard, Alex Gavin; Ciarán Kilkenny, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne; Killian McGinnis, Lorcan O'Dell, Cormac Costello; Brian O'Leary, Colm Basquel, Con O'Callaghan.
Subs: Tom Lahiff for O'Callaghan (45), Niall Scully for O'Leary (50), Cian Murphy for Clancy (53-55, temp), Cian Murphy for Gavin (55), Greg McEnaney for McGinnis (60), Luke Breathnach for Bugler (62).
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
