Football

Allianz Football League Division One

Dublin 0-22 Galway 0-14

By Billy Coss at Pearse Stadium

All-Ireland champions Dublin made it four wins on the bounce, moving to the summit of Division One, for 24 hours at least, following a controlled eight-point victory over Galway in Salthill.

Dessie Farrell's side made light of the rain and difficult underfoot conditions to put on a hugely impressive display of finishing, with just a solitary wide recorded on a day when Con O'Callaghan top scored with nine points and man of the match Seán Bugler helped himself to three.

The boys in blue made five changes to their programme team with Evan Comerford, Daire Newcombe, Tom Lahiff, Killian McGinnis and Killian O'Gara all coming into the starting XV. Galway, meanwhile, lined out without captain Seán Kelly and Rob Finnerty as their absentee list remained a lengthy one during this year's campaign.

Dublin signalled their intent early doors and despite twice going behind to Cillian Ó Curraoin frees, opened a 0-6 to 0-2 lead on 14 minutes following points from Bugler, Lahiff, Ross McGarry and three from O'Callaghan.

Galway were much improved from there until the break. Johnny McGrath, Rory Cunningham and chief marksman Ó Curraoin found the target, as two from Killian McGinnis and one apiece from Bugler and Brian Fenton left it 0-10 to 0-6 in favour of the visitors.

Dublin were a model of efficiency during the second half, failing to register a single wide into the Árus Bóthar na Trá end as they took a vice-like grip at 0-16 to 0-9 by the 55th minute.

Keeper Evan Comerford and Ciarán Kilkenny added their names to the scoresheet, while McGarry and two more O'Callaghan frees topped up their tally. Galway managed two further efforts from Ó Curraoin and one from Cathal Sweeney in reply and found themselves cut adrift.

An air of inevitability surrounded the outcome from a long way out and Dublin showed no signs of let-up with Colm Basquel, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion among those introduced off the bench. O'Callaghan continued to provide the finishing touches to bring his return up to nine points, while Basquel, Lahiff and Bugler efforts rounded out a comfortable win.

Galway had responses from subs Jack McCabe and Liam Ó Conghaile in the final quarter and Ó Curraroin ended his afternoon with eight points. They travel to Killarney next Sunday still involved in a relegation battle. The Dubs, meanwhile, face Tyrone at Croke Park with final qualification on the agenda.

Scorers for Dublin: Con O'Callaghan 0-9 (5fs, 1m), Seán Bugler 0-3, Killian McGinnis, Ross McGarry and Tom Lahiff 0-2 each, Brian Fenton, Evan Comerford (f), Ciarán Kilkenny and Colm Basquel 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Cillian Ó Curraoin 0-8 (5fs), Johnny McGrath, Cathal Sweeney, Rory Cunningham, Johnny Heaney, Jack McCabe and Liam Ó Conghaile 0-1 each.

Dublin: Evan Comerford; Seán McMahon, Daire Newcombe, Cian Murphy; Seán Bugler, John Small, Brian Howard; Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff; Killian McGinnis, Ciarán Kilkenny, Ross McGarry; Killian O'Gara, Con O'Callaghan, Niall Scully.

Subs: Colm Basquel for O'Gara (48), Jack McCaffrey for McGinnis (51), Lorcan O'Dell for Scully (55), Paul Mannion for McGarry (55), Theo Clancy for McMahon (68).

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Seán Mulkerrin; Eoghan Kelly, John Daly, Daniel O'Flaherty; Dylan McHugh, John Maher; Johnny Heaney, Céin D'Arcy, Cathal Sweeney; Cillian Ó Curraoin, Niall Daly, Rory Cunningham.

Subs: Paul Conroy for Niall Daly (HT), Jack Glynn for O'Flaherty (48), Liam Ó Conghaile for D'Arcy (57), Jack McCabe for Cunningham (57), Patrick Egan for Heaney (62).

Referee: Brendan Cawley.