Same as last year — we couldn't stay in front

ONE DOWN â€Â¦ three to go: Galway minor footballers lost to Leinster champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park last Sunday, 1-11 to 1-9, but our county will be involved in three All-Ireland finals over the next two weekends. Starting next Sunday with the Minor Hurling Championship final between Galway and Dublin at Croke Park, 1.15, and continuing with the All-Ireland U-21 Hurling final on the following Saturday, September 10th, Galway vs Dublin at Semple Stadium, Thurles; and the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship final at Croke Park on the following day, Galway vs Wexford. [private] The minor footballers were underdogs against a highly rated Dublin team last Sunday but, after conceding a goal as early as the first minute of the match and down four points at the interval, Galway fought back early in the second half and powered their way into a three-point lead, 1-8 to 1-5. But that was as good as it got, and Dublin dominated the final twenty minutes to win by two points and qualify for the All-Ireland final, in which they'll play Munster champions Tipperary. Galway manager Tommie Joyce said afterwards: 'Any defeat is hard to take but it was gallant. We'll take it on the chin and hopefully we will be back at U-21 and senior levels. We were confident going up to Dublin. Everyone else had us written off but there is potential in this team and I knew they'd stand up to Dublin. We were very unlucky at the finish.'. [/private]