Digging out reasons for one or other of these teams to prevail in the replay is a tricky business. Galway got nothing out of Joe Canning last Sunday, missed a world of goal chances and haven't beaten anyone other than Laois since the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final.
Dublin have seen two-thirds of their full-back line crocked, have a single goal to show for their last four championship games and they keep throwing away winning positions.
In Galway's case, there was promise in the way they attacked their work from the outset. Iarla Tannian outshone Liam Rushe right up until the closing 10 minutes – and after the Galway man shipped a heavy shoulder from Ryan O'Dwyer.
There was encouragement too in the forward line where Jason Flynn and Cathal Mannion troubled their markers. Presumably Cyril Donnellan has been warned about undoing his good work under the high ball with wild pot-shots in the week that has passed. Presumably too, Canning's hand has healed somewhat.
More accurate
Ger Cunningham has sliced and diced this Dublin team since taking over from Anthony Daly but some of the old failings remain.
They were as tentative and slow out of the blocks on Sunday as they’d been on the afternoons that used to give Daly heartburn.
Danny Sutcliffe’s array of talents can sometimes get distilled too readily into beating his man and shooting – which is fine when they go over but must irk better-placed teammates when they don’t.
But Dublin had the best forward on the pitch in Mark Schutte. Although O’Dwyer was taken off for fear that a second yellow might come his way, he’d put in his most effective hour in an age up to then. And while Mikey Carton doesn’t have Peter Kelly’s pace, his reading of the game made him a more than passable replacement.
There isn’t a hair-width between the teams. We’ll go with Galway but we wouldn’t be shouting about it.
GALWAY: Colm Callanan; Johnny Coen, John Hanbury, Pádraig Mannion; David Collins, Iarla Tannian, Gearóid McInerney; Joseph Cooney, Aidan Harte; Andrew Smith, Cyril Donnellan, Jonathan Glynn; Cathal Mannion, Joe Canning, Jason Flynn.
DUBLIN: Alan Nolan; Cian O'Callaghan, Michael Carton, Paul Schutte; Chris Crummy, Conal Keaney, Simon Lambert; Shane Durkin, Darragh O'Connell; Ryan O'Dwyer, Danny Sutcliffe, Liam Rushe; David O'Callaghan, David Treacy, Mark Schutte
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)
Lowdown
Last meeting: May 31st 2015, Leinster SHC quarter-final, Croke Park – Dublin 0-20 Galway 1-17
Match odds: Dublin evens, Galway 11/10, Draw 9/1
Injuries: Galway have no concerns; Dublin look certain to be without Peter Kelly (hamstring). Hard to imagine Paul Schutte is fully fit after missing out last week at short notice.
Just the ticket: Adult €20 (stand), €10 (terrace); Student & Seniors €15 (stand) €5 (terrace); U16 €5.
Verdict: Galway.
