Darcy the equaliser in thriller

Credit where it's due. This Church & General National Football League fixture was a cracking, atmospheric match. Both sides played at times exhilarating football and proceedings were graced by what was probably Declan Darcy's best competitive display for Dublin.

By the end there was something for everyone in the all-ticket audience of about 7,000 in Parnell Park. Dublin had the chances to record a good win over the All-Ireland champions exactly 12 months after their predecessors Kerry took a traumatic hammering at the same venue.

That they didn't constituted a disappointment but the result could have been worse and Darcy was required to produce last-minute heroics by firing a line ball over the bar from out on the right to snatch the draw.

"I didn't know what he was up to," said manager Tom Carr afterwards when recalling Darcy's decision to take on the shot.

"Thankfully he did."

"I thought I'd do a Ja Fallon on it," was Darcy's explanation. The point brings the play-offs nearer, though it doesn't guarantee them.

Yet Galway's manager John O'Mahony was even happier and in the most relaxed post-match humour he's enjoyed for a while. "For 20 minutes we played great football. At least there was a bit of passion but we have to win the last match to stay up. But we looked like we were going in the right direction."

Both teams need something from their final matches to ensure a happy ending. Dublin travel to Cork and Galway entertain Offaly in crucial play-off and relegation struggles.

Yesterday's proceedings started with a bang. Within two minutes Sean O Domhnaill came steaming through from midfield and, in the clear on goal, crashed the ball wide. Two minutes later and Dublin weren't as lucky. Michael Donnellan twisted through the defence at speed before setting up Niall Finnegan in front of an empty net for a goal.

Dublin were slow off the mark and looked ominously short on conviction during the opening minutes. Enda Sheehy and Senan Connell declined chances and passed the ball on to colleagues.

Both were to improve with the former helping Dublin take a forceful grip at midfield and the latter working hard and subsequently proving himself not in the least afraid to shoot and miss.

Gradually Dublin emerged. Dessie Farrell was causing havoc up front and taking Gary Fahy out to the corner to chase a succession of accurate ball from Darcy in particular and occasionally Brian Stynes.

Attack was continually supplemented by excellent raids from right wing back Paul Curran whose pace and precise breaks gave Michael Donnellan a rare taste of being on the back foot. Paul Croft also broke well and kicked a peach of a point in the second half.

Darcy was, however, the cutting edge and kicked five points before half-time. The first was from a free but the others were gems of accurate scoretaking from play as he finished off moves that seemed in danger of breaking down and in the 18th minute completed a sweet move between Stynes, Farrell and Connell.

In response to suggestions that he had been under pressure after below-par performances Darcy made a characteristic mission statement. "I always give 110 per cent. People say I'm a back, I'm a forward but I give everything for the team, not for myself. My number one objective is that Dublin win."

Dublin's full-back line had its moments yesterday without totally convincing the agnostics. David Byrne was confidence personified in goal and Shane Ryan had a fine match at right corner back. Paddy Christie and Tomo Lynch were less consistent.

Galway's initial, sweeping play subsided and the defence was under pressure for most of the time. Thanks to Dublin's inaccuracy, the margin was always within Galway's reach and they added a couple of points to keep in touch with Dublin, who nevertheless led with points from Niall O'Donoghue and Darcy.

For both Carr and Darcy, the third quarter was the time to drill home the advantage but Dublin never managed to pull away from the All-Ireland champions and the very time that the lead was extended to four points, 0-13 to 1-6, was when Galway hit back.

From Ciaran Whelan's point in the 44th minute, Dublin went 15 minutes without scoring. In that interval, Galway woke up and delivered a sustained blast of their best forward play. Donnellan and his brother John became unmanageable and Jarlath Fallon began to probe forward. Six unanswered points flew over to leave Galway 1-12 to 0-13 in front.

Fergal Gavin helped restore some competitiveness to the middle and a becalmed Dublin looked like they were heading for an embarrassing defeat. Instead Darcy coolly took two dead-ball opportunities and a fair outcome resulted.

DUBLIN: D Byrne; S Ryan, P Christie, T Lynch; P Curran (0-1), I Robertson, P Croft (0- 1); E Sheehy, C Whelan (0-1); S Connell, D Darcy (0-8, two frees, one sideline), B Stynes (0-1); B Irwin, D Farrell (0-1), N O'Donoghue (0-2). Subs: M O'Keeffe for Irwin (43 mins).

GALWAY: L Kelly; R Doyle, G Fahy, R Fahy; R Silke, J Divilly, S de Paor; S O Domhnaill, J Fallon (0-3, one free); M O Collarain (0-1), P Clancy, M Donnellan (0-2); D Savage (0-2), J Donnellan (0-2), N Finnegan (1-1, point from a free). Subs: T Joyce (0-1) for Clancy (40 mins); F Gavin for O Domhnaill (46 mins).

Referee: P Russell (Tipperary).