Galway 1-23

Dublin 1-15

Darren Kelly in Pearse Stadium

Galway qualified for the new look seven-team Division 1 of the 2025 National Hurling League on Sunday, but it came at a cost as they’ll line out without captain Conor Whelan and his predecessor Daithí Burke for their clash with All-Ireland champions Limerick this Saturday.

Limerick referee Johnny Murphy produced 11 yellow cards and four reds over the 70-plus minutes of this game in Salthill, resulting in the Tribesmen finishing the game with 12 players on the pitch, while their finished the game a man short.

Jack Grealish received a second booking on 45 minutes just when the game was delicately poised at 1-11 each. Parity was restored in playing numbers as Dublin’s Ronan Hayes suffered his second infringement.

But in the closing five minutes, Whelan was punished for an off-the-ball incident; and a late shoulder five minutes into injury time saw Burke receive his marching orders. Bar a midweek appeal, neither will play this week.

The win means Galway secured top flight status for another year, and a win in their final group game against Limerick in Salthill this Saturday as part of a mouth-watering national league double-bill will see them qualify for this year’s league semi-finals.

It was a week of talking points with Johnny Glynn back training, and the unavailability of Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds seeing the Shannonsiders cede home advantage for this weekend’s game, which is now being pitched as a double-bill along with Galway’s clash with Dublin in the National Football League.

Henry Shefflin’s team only managed a draw against the Dubs in last year’s championship, but they were red-hot favourites to overcome Michael Donohue’s crew who hadn’t won out West since 1989.

Dublin missed a couple of early chances, with Conor Cooney getting Galway off the mark on 40 seconds after taking the break from a Darach Fahy puck-out. The visitors replied with Diarmuid Ó Dúlaing finding the target.

Pictured: Galway’s Conor Whelan is sandwiched between Dublin’s Conor Donohoe and James Madden in Pearse Stadium last weekend. Photos: Joe O’Shaughnessy.