Sport
Late Hayes goal hands Galway their first defeat
Dublin 3-16Galway 0-21By Billy CossAt Pearse StadiumGalway were dislodged at the top of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship standings in windy Salthill after Brian Hayes struck a sensational match-winning goal for Dublin at the death.Colm Molloy's 74th minute equaliser looked to have secured a draw for the previously unbeaten Tribesmen. But it was one of only two points scored by the home side in the closing 19 minutes of action as the winners, who hit a wind-aided 2-4 during the same spell, finished with a flourish.The Hayes brothers combined for Dublin’s all-important third goal, Ronan feeding Brian to race clear and blast home in the fifth minute of injury-time.Cian O'Sullivan tacked on the insurance point second later as Dublin guaranteed their place in the All-Ireland series. Provincial final qualification will be theirs if they can avoid defeat at home to Kilkenny next weekend.Galway’s fate remains in their own hands despite the first setback of their campaign. They travel to an already eliminated Wexford next Sunday and must come away with at least a draw to secure a top three finish and book their place in the Leinster decider.Five Aaron Niland points, including four frees, plus two from Padraic Mannion helped Galway to a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at half-time.It was an inadequate return while playing with wind advantage however, as Micheál Donoghue’s side chalked up a dozen wides before the break. They would finish with 17 to Dublin's three by the final whistle - a key factor in the final analysis.Conal Ó Riain sent over two from play at the opposite end, while the remainder of the visitors’ tally came courtesy of Dónal Burke placed balls with his goal from a 13th minute 65 that finished in the net off Daithí Burke's stick.Both teams found far more fluency in the third quarter. Galway kept their noses in front and led 0-19 to 1-12 in the 56th minute on the back of scores from Tom Monaghan, sub Darragh Neary and Cathal Mannion, who took over the placed ball duties from the injured Niland.Dublin leaned mainly on chief marksman Dónal Burke, who ended the day with 1-9, until the introduction of Ronan Hayes and John Hetherton to their inside line proved game changing.Hayes' goal, from a Hetherton assist, levelled matters on the hour mark while the former's second point was followed by a Burke 65 to leave two between them late on.Cathal Mannion halved the deficit and Galway looked to have rescued a draw when Colm Molloy levelled deep in injury-time.But there was a late twist in the seconds that remained with Brian Hayes' goal quickly followed by a point from Cian O'Sullivan keeping Dublin's unbeaten start to the championship and handin Galway their first defeat.DUBLIN: E. Gibbons; C. McHugh, P. Smyth, P. Doyle; C. Crummey (captain), L. Rushe, C. Burke (0-1); C. Groarke, B. Hayes (1-0); C. Donohoe (0-1), F. Whitely, D. Burke (1-9, 1-1 65s, 0-7 frees); C. Ó Riain (0-2), D. Purcell, C. O'Sullivan (0-1). Subs: J. Hetherton, for Groarke, 51 mins; R. Hayes (1-2), for Purcell, 55 mins.GALWAY: D. Fahy; R. Glennon, C. Trayers, D. Morrissey (captain); P. Mannion (0-2), D. Burke, G. Lee; C. Daniels (0-1), T. Killeen; J. Fleming, C. Mannion (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), A. Niland (0-5, 0-4 frees); J. Rabbitte (0-1), C. Whelan (0-2), T. Monaghan (0-3). Subs: D. Neary (0-2), for Niland inj., 39 mins; J. Ryan, for Trayers, 63 mins; C. Molloy (0-1), for Fleming, 65 mins; C. Fahy, for Daniels, 67 mins; O. Lohan, for Killeen, 70+4 mins.REFEREE: Colm Lyons (Cork).
