Another eclipse in maroon. Yesterday, in Croke Park, Galway and Kildare revisited the days of 1998 and, again, it was the westerners that were left standing at the end.

In a compelling All-Ireland semi-final, the Lilywhites sought to right the pain of two years back, but found themselves shrouded in maroon at the close. Played out on a day of heavy showers, the match turned with a series of late and perfect Galway frees which eased them through on a scoreline of 0-15 to 2-6.

It was another heartbreaking wrench for Mick O'Dwyer's steel-willed bunch, another day of roses for a drenched John O'Mahony. "It always seems to rain when Galway win, but I don't mind," the manager said afterwards.

Why should he? For all Galway's scorching talent, this was a day for soul.

In Ja Fallon's absence, Michael Donnellan has become the torch-bearer for this team. The Dunmore player was truly great on occasions yesterday, lightning when on the ball and lion-hearted in his general efforts.

Late in the game he stepped up to send a long free floating through the gloom, a score which carried Galway on towards the sweetest hour. Team captain Padraig Joyce had another brilliant day, landing seven points.

Kevin Walsh returned and turned the tide with his subtle genius for midfield play. Declan Meehan and Ray Silke tossed white walls in their hunger. Character lit through the team. "There were a lot of heroes out there," declared O'Mahony. "A lot of passion. A lot of good footballers."

On both sides. Kildare took their pale army on another tour of emotions yesterday. Their scoring came in odd little bursts. Their first came with a goal after 15 minutes from Tadgh Fennin. Karl O'Dwyer nailed three sublime points early in the second half to leave them leading by 1-5 to 0-7.

Then Fennin set up Brian Murphy for another goal and, with 20 minutes left, the heavens seemed to favour the all-whites.

But not for long. With Joyce and Derek Savage kicking sublimely through the rain, Kildare were pegged back. Fatally, with 15 minutes remaining, John Finn was red-carded. The bones of the story were written. Padraig Brennan kicked the Leinster side back into a slender lead with seven minutes remaining. But those remaining minutes were all about Galway verve. Kildare were forced to relive the pain of the 1998 All-Ireland as their opponents moved beyond them.

"You can't quantify one disappointment against the other," said Glen Ryan gently. Then he spoke the words which encapsulate Kildare's luckless, gallant pursuit of football's Holy Grail.

"We are just devastated. I don't think any team in the country has put as much into this as we have."

Before yesterday, all the talk was that Galway had reached this stage without expending any effort. All hot smoke now. Weeks ago, Kevin Walsh figured his summer was over. Now, he's back in the engine room.

"Yeah, it's been a good week for Kevin. He took £50 off me playing poker this weekend as well," mused Ray Silke with a laugh.

But the manager holds all the aces. Galway return to the All-Ireland with the same stealth as marked their arrival two years ago. Next Saturday, Armagh and Kerry will fuse and spark for the right to join them.

"I've no preferences, but they have an extra game there and whoever wins it will have a serious advantage over us," spun John O'Mahony.

The finest days of football lie ahead.