Dublin In Final For First Time Since 1995

A Roundup Of The GAA Championship Action From Jackie Cahill

All-Ireland SFC Semi-Final
Dublin 0-8 Donegal 0-6

Despite not scoring from play until the 60th minute, and finishing the game with 14 men, Dublin have reached the All-Ireland senior football final for the first time since 1995.

Their semi-final victory over Donegal at a packed Croke Park last Sunday was either riveting, absorbing, intense of just downright forgettable, depending on your point of view.

The Leinster and Ulster champions managed just 14 points between them over the 70 minutes as the defensive systems employed by both resulted in a match that the purists won't reflect upon with any degree of fondness.

Dublin's win came at a cost as full-forward Diarmuid Connolly was sent off 12 minutes from time and will now miss out on the September 18 final showdown with Kerry.

When Connolly was dismissed, Dublin trailed by 0-5 to 0-6 but the gritty Sky Blues finished with three unanswered points to set up first Dublin-Kerry final since 1985.

The hype machine will move into top gear in the capital ahead of the much-anticipated showpiece but on the evidence provided by both semi-finals, Kerry will start as favourites to claim a 37th senior title.

At GAA HQ last Sunday, Donegal were 0-6 to 0-3 clear with 43 minutes on the watch but they lost their way after that, with the withdrawal of centre back Karl Lacey due to injury proving a massive blow.

Colm McFadden also blew a glorious goal chance and the extra man suited Dublin, with Donegal happier in a 15 against 15 contest and much more aware of their individual responsibilities.

Right from the off, it was Donegal who asked the questions in terms of tempo and tactical nous, often dropping ten or more players behind the ball with Dublin on the attack.

It made for frustrating viewing and at half-time, Donegal led by 0-4 to 0-2, with Dublin unable to register a single point from play in the opening 35 minutes.

Donegal had made three changes before the throw-in, with David Walsh, Christy Toye and Eamon McGee drafted in for Michael Hegarty, Neil Gallagher and Paddy McBrearty.

And with 23 minutes on the watch, the teams had shared just two points between them in a dour battle.

In the first minute of the second half, McFadden's chance came and went as he found himself one-on-one with Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, but blazed over the crossbar.

Wasteful Dublin were in trouble but they hung in and with a quarter of the match left, trailed by just that single point.

Connolly then saw red when he won free in a scoreable position but raised his hands to Donegal sub Marty Boyle.

TV pictures showed that Boyle over-reacted but referee Maurice Deegan was in no doubt and issued a straight red to Connolly, who is unlikely to fail in any proposed appeal.

Dublin were down a man but this seemed to inspire them as sub Kevin McManamon was in superb form and kicked his side's first score from play in the 60th minute to tie the scores at 0-6 apiece.

Bryan Cullen sent Dublin into the lead with eight minutes to go; the first time they held the whip hand, as Donegal's rigid system struggled to cope with an extra player.

Three minutes from time, 2010 Footballer of the Year Bernard Brogan kicked a free to send Dublin 0-8 to 0-6 clear and they would hold on to reach the final for the first time in 16 years.

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Dublin will also be represented on All-Ireland football final day by their minor team, who beat Galway by 1-11 to 1-9 in last Sunday's semi-final at Croke Park.

Dublin netted after just 12 seconds when Scott Fulham goaled and that helped the metropolitans to lead by 1-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

But Galway's start to the second half was simply sensational and yielded an unanswered 1-4, with Shane Walsh netting a penalty.

Dublin, inspired by Ciaran Kilkenny, stormed back into contention and would eventually prevail to set up a final meeting with Tipperary.

Coincidentally, when Tipperary last contested All-Ireland minor football finals, in 1984 and 1955, Dublin were their opponents on both occasions.

The Sky Blues won both those tussles and in both years, Dublin and Kerry contested the senior decider, with the Kingdom emerging victorious each time. Omens for September 18 perhaps?

Elsewhere last weekend, Clare were crowned All-Ireland intermediate hurling champions after beating Kilkenny by 2-13 to 1-11 at Semple Stadium on Saturday.

The Rebelettes beat Laois by 4-10 to 1-6 at Cashel's Leahy Park, with captain Amy O'Shea bagging a hat-trick of second half goals.

Cork will meet the winners of next Saturday's second semi-final between Monaghan and Kerry, with the final fixed for Croke Park on September 25.