Dublin 2-19 Galway 1-21:Dublin advanced to the final of the Walsh Cup following a narrow one-point victory over 14-man Galway at a sun-kissed Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

With the eagerly-contested encounter seemingly headed towards extra-time, Paul Ryan converted a 68th minute free to confirm Dublin’s progress in what was their first competitive outing of the year.

Dublin showed few signs of rustiness in the early exchanges with Johnny McCaffrey landing a brace of points within the first two minutes and his pass to Ryan in the seventh minute allowed the Ballyboden St Enda’s player to strike a clinical goal across Colm Callanan from 12 yards.

Kept in touch

Galway kept in touch through points from Niall Healy and Damien Hayes and a piercing run from Davy Glennon in the 10th minute culminated in an emphatic finish to the net from close range by Jonathan Glynn.

However, Galway’s momentum was stalled somewhat by the 18th minute dismissal of midfielder Andy Smith after an altercation with Conal Keaney but Dublin struggled initially to avail of this advantage as points from Healy, Pádraig Brehony and Tadhg Haran comfirmed a 1-11 to 1-9 interval lead for the visitors.

Noses in front

Healy’s accuracy from play and placed balls ensured Galway kept their noses in front in the early stages of the second-half but the tide turned in Dublin’s favour thanks to a number of Ryan frees and Danny Sutcliffe’s 44th minute goal.

The ebb and flow continued with Healy striking four unanswered points to regain the initiative for the Tribesmen but it was of scant surprise when parity was restored through successive points from Ryan and Joey Boland.

Sprawling save

A wonderful sprawling save from Gary Maguire to deny the impressive Aidan Harte kept Dublin in Galway’s sights with an excellent point from Shane Durkin levelling matters prior to Ryan’s late and match-winning intervention.