Galway were three points up but they couldn't hold off a big Dublin rally

  By JIM CARNEY   Dublin .................................1-11 Galway .................................1-9 It's not only me saying it. The dogs in the street are barking it this week, but I will not name any names here â€â€ minors are 18 at most, some 17, some only 16. That has to be taken into consideration. I only hope that all involved in the 2011 Galway Minor football camp, players, team mentors and officials, are not in denial or they'll never know â€â€ or have any desire to know â€â€ what was wrong this year, in the Connacht final, against Cavan and against Dublin. To repeat the obvious: it was a problem. A problem that wasn't solved.   FOUR points down at half-time, 1-5 to 0-4, it wasn't a crisis for Galway, as they had moved well in the second quarter, with the tigerish Conor Rabbitte at left full-forward running and shooting brilliantly. A third Rabbitte point from play, this one on the resumption, into the Davin Stand end, got Galway going as they launched their third-quarter offensive. Ian Burke, who'd won good ball in the first half but had too much of it taken away from him by hard-tackling Dublin defenders, was fouled for a penalty which was netted, really well, by Shane Walsh, hitting it low to the corner on the Dublin goalkeeper's right-hand side; the 'keeper went the right way but the kick was well placed. Conor Rabbitte, Galway's best forward on the day, then set up Ian Burke for a lovely point from play and it was 1-8 to 1-5 in our favour. Dublin were hardly in the game for about ten minutes but, to their great credit, they were patient and when Paul Mannion eventually scored a point for them, at a time when Galway were kicking wides and losing their shape, you just knew it wasn't over as a contest and that Dublin were near enough if good enough. As stated, the key period in the second half finished six points to one in Dublin's favour. Galway were still working hard but some vital possession was kicked away. Johnny Giles always says the key to dominating in soccer is to keep the ball â€â€ it's the same in Gaelic football. When the chips were down, class came to the fore: Dublin centre half-forward Ciarán Kilkenny, whose family on his father's side came from Ballymacward, East Galway and included Nora Kilkenny, mother of the late, great Seán Purcell, was the best footballer on the field in the final twenty minutes of the game â€â€ in other words, when it mattered most. Then, as the tide turned, it could also be said that Galway were near enough if good enough but the attack was no longer really dangerous. What kept Galway alive was a fantastic stop by goalkeeper Connor Gleeson. Already exuding confidence after pulling down a high ball to save a point in the first half, and clearly relishing the experience of performing on the big stage, the young Dunmore giant reacted smartly â€â€ brilliant reflexes â€â€ after another Dublin point attempt came down off a post, and Connor showed courage too, as he smothered the Dublin follow-up. It silenced the cacophony behind him, up on Hill 16. Two late Dublin points from play were scores of the highest class, composure and kicking technique, one by raiding centre half-back John Small and the second, the crucial score of the game, by Ciarán Kilkenny. It reminded us of what happened last year: Galway vs Cork in the All-Ireland Minor semi-final, Galway leading by nine points .. and they lost it by one! 3-15 to 5-8, 24 points to 23. This time the deficit was one-third of the nine, but the feeling was the same â€â€ here was a match that could've been won. But it's like horse racing. There's only one place where it's vital to be in front: at the finishing post.   Dublin: Ross O'Hanlon (Clontarf); Graham Hannigan (Castleknock), Robert McDaid, captain (Ballyboden St Enda's), Rutherson Real (Raheny); Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine's), John Small (Ballymun Kickhams, 0-1), Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf); Patrick O'Higgins (Raheny), Emmet Ó Conghaile (Lucan Sarfields); Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes, 0-1), Gavin Ivory (Raheny, 0-1, a 45), Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcilles, 0-1); Scott Fulham (St Anne's, 1-1), David Campbell (Kilmacud Crokes), Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock, 0-6, two frees). Subs., David Byrne (Naomh Olaf), for R. Real, 34 mins; Niall Scully, for Campbell, 43 mins; Eoin Archibold (Ballymun Kickhams), for Costello, 51 mins; Conor Meaney (St Sylvester's), for Fulham, 63 mins.   Galway: Connor Gleeson (Dunmore MacHales); Adrian Nolan (Killererin), James Shaughnessy, captain (Ballinasloe), Edwin Murray (Killanin); Eoin Walsh (Maigh Cuilinn), Conor Cunningham (Corofin), Cathal Mulryan (Cortoon Shamrocks); Shane Maughan (St Michael's, 0-1), Gearóid Canavan (Salthill-Knocknacarra); Seán Moran (Claregalway), Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, 1-4, 1-0 pen., four frees), Patrick Glynn (Dunmore MacHales); Gearóid Armstrong (Salthill-Knocknacarra), Ian Burke (Corofin, 0-1), Conor Rabbitte (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, 0-3). Subs., Tom Curran (Barna), for Glynn, 46 mins; Shane Geoghegan (Oranmore-Maree), for Armstrong, 48 mins; Ger Gibbons (Clifden), for Moran, inj., 35 mins; Liam Silke (Corofin), for Canavan, inj., 63 mins.   Referee: Robert O'Donnell (Donegal).   Herald Sport Man of the Match: Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin). [/private]