In the electrifying climax to the All-Ireland SFC semi-final, the Galway team triumphed against Donegal with a score of 1-14 to 0-15 in front of a vast crowd of 67,002. The joyous Galway supporters were treated to a concert by The Saw Doctors at the conclusion of a thrilling match where the marginal victory was hard-won.
The event kicked off in a more muted tone with a brief video tribute honouring the late John O’Mahony, the man responsible for guiding Galway to its two most recent All-Ireland titles. The Galway squad presented themselves in a V formation as a nod to O’Mahony’s influence as a pioneering leader.
Both Galway and Donegal took to the field with divergent outlooks. Donegal, guided by Jim McGuinness, had managed to rejuvenate their trajectory and secure the Ulster title. Their football, marked by vibrant energy, running threats and a myriad of scoring choices, came head-to-head with a seasoned Galway team which had tasted success in the All-Ireland two years prior but was hampered by injuries throughout the season, leading to the unanticipated absence of their captain, Seán Kelly.
Galway emerged victorious from this intense duel and punched their ticket to the final. The triumph lied in their traditional strengths: a sturdy collective defence that has allowed only one goal all season, towering presences in middle positions and a formidable attacking trio involving Rob Finnerty, Damien Comer and Shane Walsh. Occasionally, all members had to be drawn into their defensive duties to curb Donegal’s relentless strike, leaving Comer alone in the front, yet his imposing presence kept Brendan McCole occupied and allowed him to contribute to scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Despite not being a counter-attacking team like Donegal, Galway faced hesitations in advancing their turnover ball, which had once been Ulster champions’ pronounced vulnerability, made evidently clear that June Saturday when Cork marred their otherwise unblemished records with three goals. Swift passes seemed to make Galway a more formidable force, however, the execution was not as forthright as it seemed.
Genuine apprehensions prevailed that the speed and agility of Donegal would eventually overwhelm the Westerners and for extended durations, it seemed to head in that direction. Donegal responded seven times within sixty seconds of conceding a point whereas Galway showcased a more sluggish formation.
Intriguingly though, Galway remained within striking distance during the fiercely competitive game. Both teams were on par eleven times and only on five separate occasions the gap exceeded a point – with the fifth being the decisive victory margin at the end.
The differing tactics manifested from the get-go. As the half progressed, Donegal managed their goals more effortlessly, their forwards located shooting areas and achieved a commendable accuracy in their shots, only missing a pair before the half-time. The best scorers were Michael Langan, Ciarán Thompson and Oisín Gallen, scoring 0-3, 0-2 and 0-2 each. Gallen was significantly defended by Liam Silke, but Gallen bypassed him at the half-hour mark and speedily scored a point shrinking the gap to a solitary point, 0-8 to 1-6.
The decisive goal happened six minutes prior when Paul Conroy assembled for the kind of shot Galway desperately required, a long-distance try to outperform the defensive push. As he kicked, a collective gasp erupted as the ball sailed low in the direction of the goal and right towards Shaun Patton.
Matthew Tierney, currently taking his turn as the full forward, moved into the goal region disturbing Donegal goalkeeper’s line of sight. Consequently, Conroy’s loathed effort found the net becoming the pivotal score of the contest.
At that juncture, there remained a considerable duration, and Donegal began showcasing their strength, outdoing their rivals by 0-4 to 0-1 with credited points from Patrick McBrearty, Thompson, Gallen and Langan.
During the interval, the teams stood evenly matched with the scoreline reading 1-7 to 0-10. The thought was that the triumphant goal by Donegal may have given them the momentum to put Galway under more stress as the game intensified. However, the match continued to swing in the balance.
In the end, it was the more calculated team from Galway that kept their form throughout the game. They demonstrated a relentless approach, with their corner-backs Johnny McGrath and Jack Glynn continuously ready to advance and support offensive strategies. The entire team followed this pattern, with an outstanding performance from Dylan McHugh encircling with intent, scoring 0-2 and demonstrating energetic defence with accuracy.
The momentum switched when Cillian McDaid managed to snatch a point following an aerial pass by Comer. This lead was maintained by Galway. They then experienced a heart-stopping 10-minute quiet period with no points scored until Silke assisted Maher to score a point at the 59th minute.
A superb 45m score by Langan equalised the game, who achieved a stunning performance of 0-4 from live play and a defensive hotshot by stealing a counter from Cein D’Arcy of Galway.
Superior physical strength could have tired out Donegal, and they found Davin’s goal as perplexing as Galway. Both teams missed opportunities to score, with Donegal dropping short in the first half and replicating it with four misses in the second half. Galway also had their share of inaccuracies, with McHugh missing a shot with his poor footwork and Comer missed a couple.
But when it mattered the most, Rob Finnerty shone brilliantly, securing lead by scoring after Thompson’s slip, which resulted in him touching the ball on the ground in the 65th minute.
A prolonged spell of possession play in the 70th minute by Silke, coupled with exhausted misses by Langan and Peadar Mogan, unable to display the A-game he’s been noted for this season, effectively guaranteed Galway’s victory.
In a football game that took place in Galway, Connor Gleeson, Johnny McGrath, Liam Silke scored 0-2, Jack Glynn, Dylan McHugh also secured 0-2, Seán Fitzgerald, Seán Mulkerrin, John Maher managed 0-1, and Paul Conroy brought in 1-1. The team also comprised Matthew Tierney, Cein Darcy, Cillian McDaid who scored 0-1, Robert Finnerty with 0-4, including 0-2f, Damien Comer and Shane Walsh with 0-3, including 0-2f. Substitutes in the team included Johnny Heaney who replaced Darcy at 57 minutes, Daniel O’Flaherty who came in for Walsh at 63 minutes, John Daly took over Fitzgerald at 66 minutes, Kieran Molloy replaced Comer and Tomo Culhane took McDaid’s place both at 72 minutes.
Facing them was Donegal, with Shaun Patton, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle who scored 0-1, and Caolan McColgan. They were joined by Jason McGee, Michael Langan with 0-4, Shane O’Donnell brought in 0-2, Ciarán Thompson scored 0-2 including 0-1m, and Ciarán Moore. Patrick McBrearty got 0-3 including 0-1f, Oisín Gallen scored 0-3, and Aaron Doherty. Substitutes for the team were Daire Ó Baoill who came in for McColgan at 30 mins, Jeaic MacCeallbhuí replaced Gallagher at 47 mins, Hugh McFadden took over McGee at 59 mins, Niall O’Donnell replaced McBrearty and Odhran Doherty took over from A Doherty both at 63 mins. Brendan Cawley from Kildare was the referee.