Galway 1-14, Derry 1-11 (full-time)
Galway snatched victory from the jaws of defeat this afternoon to reach
their second consecutive All-Ireland final and their third in four years.
The Tribesmen had it all to do in the final quarter but put over seven
unanswered scores to halt a Derry side who had dominated the game for
long periods.
The match started at a frenetic pace and Derry were leading by two after
10 minutes, while Galway had yet to score.
Michael Donnellan got Galway off the mark on 12 minutes and went ahead by
two through points from Derek Savage and Joe Bergin on 25 minutes. A
minute later Derry's towering full-forward regained the lead when a high
ball came in and he blasted home.
The goal spurred the Northerners on and they took a lead of two points
into the dressing room (1-06 to 0-07). More importantly, their forwards
answered their critics - five of the six had scored from play in the
first half.
Padraig Joyce brought Galway's tally to eight points on the resumption
but scores from Dermot Dougan (2), Paul McFlynn and Anthony Tohill gave
the underdogs a five point lead.
Derek Savage pulled it back to four with 15 minutes to go and Galway
began to look like champions.
Padraig Joyce scored two frees, Sean Og de Paor got another and with four
minutes on the clock substitute Matthew Clancy picked up a pass from
Derek Savage and drilled it home.
Galway now led by two and further scores from Padraig Joyce and Paul
Clancy in the final minute added to Galway's tally.
Dermot Healy pulled a point back for the Northerners but it was too
little too late for a plucky side who had most of the possession.
Galway now go back to Croke Park in four weeks and face the winners of
Kerry and Meath - they also now hold the dubious honour of being the
first football team to progress to a final without being provincial
champions.