GAA National League Round-up:Paul Ryan was Dublin's hurling hero of the hour for forcing a late draw against Kilkenny but several hours later he was arguably upstaged by the Brogan double act who sensationally denied Down at the end of today's dramatic double-header at Croke Park.
The Dublin hurlers were first up at headquarters for the Allianz National League Division 1 clash with the Cats where Ryan kept his cool to slot home a difficult injury time free to force a draw.
Ryan’s closing act of the game left the scores tied at 1-17 to 3-11 and, by denying Kilkenny two points, Dublin also kept alive their chances of reaching the Division 1 final with Galway also in the mix.
The Dubs started the better of the two sides in a high tempo game and took a 0-05 to 0-01 lead early on.
Matthew Ruth scored Kilkenny’s opening goal of the game with Ryan finding the net for Dublin just before the break. However there was still time for Eddie Brennan to fire home for Killkenny, who trailed by just two points, 1-12 to 2-07 at the interval.
After the break Brian Cody’s side took hold of the game and were level (2-11 to 1-14) by the time Ruth found the net for the second time.
Dublin, however, had other ideas and stuck to their game plan with Ryan picking up a couple of well-taken frees before the decisive score in injury time gave both sides a share of the spoils.
Pat Gilroy’s Dublin footballers were up against last year’s All-Ireland beaten finalists Down and a sibling Brogan double act late in the day ensured the Dubs a place in the Division 1 final for the first time in 12 years.
The scoreboard at the final whistle read Dublin 2-10, Down 0-13 but that didn’t reveal the true drama at the end when Bernard and Alan Brogan made decisive scores to deny the Mourne men.
Bernard scored a point in stoppage time yet there was still time for Alan to score the winning goal in a complete turnaround when Down looked set for the win.
Martin Clarke fired between the posts with just a couple of minutes on the clock to give the visitors a narrow 0-13 to 1-09 lead. However, three minutes of injury time were just enough for the Brogan pair to turn the game on its head and maintain the Dubs’ 100 per cent record in the National League.
Paul Flynn scored the opening goal for Dublin as the sides traded points all through the half and couldn’t be separated at the break, 1-05 to 0-08.
It was more of the same in second period as the tie could have gone either way. After catching breath it was a fitting finale to a full day’s entertainment at headquarters.
The result means if All-Ireland and defending league champions Cork defeat Mayo tomorrow they will book their place in the decider against Dublin.
Results
Allianz Hurling League Division 1
Dublin 1-17 Kilkenny 3-11
Division 2
Carlow 2-15 Westmeath 1-14
Laois 3-16 Clare 3-13
Division 3B
Sligo 1-10 Mayo 3-18
Allianz Football League Division 1
Dublin 2-10 Down 0-13
Division 3
Cavan 0-11 Louth 1-05