Galway hold firm in tense finale to reach decider

Galway finished strongly in a tense finale to overcome Donegal and book their spot in a second All-Ireland final in three years.

With 10 minutes remaining, a tit-for-tat encounter hung on a knife-edge, the scoring-rate having fallen precipitously after an open first half.

The big moment occurred with five minutes remaining. After a rousing Donegal turnover, Ciarán Thompson dived on the ball on the ground, referee Brendan Cawley penalising the midfielder.

The big screen operator in Croke Park was momentarily asleep at the wheel, the tight call being broadcast around the ground. The replay probably vindicated the decision but it was tight and the Donegal crowd struck up a round of boos, while Ryan McHugh and his teammates pointed agitatedly at the screen.

Cawley responded by bringing the free in even closer. Finnerty tapped it over to nudge Galway in front at a crucial moment.

Donegal's methodical, uber-modern attacking game had been in perfect motion either side of half-time but it began to creak as the game ticked towards a finish.

Paul Conroy - who scored a bizarre goal in the first half, after his poorly struck shot deceived Shaun Patton - had a chance to double the lead, the ball rebounding off the inside of the post.

Damien Comer, looking increasingly tired at this stage, slapped the ball towards goal but it didn't have the power to beat Patton.

However, the Ulster champions were unable to work another score and turned the ball over again in the final third. Galway worked it carefully upfield, with centre-back Liam Silke, not a renowned point-taker, curling over the critical score to double the lead entering injury-time.

Donegal were suddenly out of ideas. Michael Langan, peerless with his shooting boots for so much of the