Galway back in All-Ireland SFC final after edging out Donegal in tense Croker showdown

July 14, 2024

Galway's Damien Comer and Brendan McCole of Donegal ©INPHO/James Crombie

Galway will play Armagh in the All-Ireland senior football championship final in two weeks’ time after battling past Donegal with a 1-14 to 0-15 victory at Croke Park.

In the end, it was Paul Conroy’s fortuitous goal in the 24th minute that proved the difference between the side as Padraic Joyce’s men advanced to their second Sam Maguire Cup decider in three years.

Despite the concession of Conroy’s pointed effort that ended up in Shaun Patton’s net, making it 1-5 to 0-5, Donegal recovered well with points via Paddy McBrearty, Ciaran Thompson (mark) and Oisin Gallen before Michael Langan’s effort brought it all square.

Conroy nudged the Tribesmen in front again ahead of Langan’s third point leaving it at 1-7 to 0-10 for the break and the sides would go point for point after the change of ends up to this gripping semi-final's closing stages.

Rob Finnerty’s free made it 1-13 to 0-15 in favour of the Connacht champions in the 65th minute and, despite a few opportunities for Jim McGuinness’s men to level it up again, it was Liam Silke’s fine score on 70 minutes that ensured the precious victory for Galway.


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