their second consecutive All-Ireland final and their third in four years.

The Tribesmen had it all to do in the final quarter but put over seven

unanswered scores to halt a Derry side who had dominated the game for

long periods.

The match started at a frenetic pace and Derry were leading by two after

10 minutes, while Galway had yet to score.

Michael Donnellan got Galway off the mark on 12 minutes and went ahead by

two through points from Derek Savage and Joe Bergin on 25 minutes. A

minute later Derry's towering full-forward regained the lead when a high

ball came in and he blasted home.

The goal spurred the Northerners on and they took a lead of two points

into the dressing room (1-06 to 0-07). More importantly, their forwards

answered their critics - five of the six had scored from play in the

first half.

Padraig Joyce brought Galway's tally to eight points on the resumption

but scores from Dermot Dougan (2), Paul McFlynn and Anthony Tohill gave

the underdogs a five point lead.

Derek Savage pulled it back to four with 15 minutes to go and Galway

began to look like champions.

Padraig Joyce scored two frees, Sean Og de Paor got another and with four

minutes on the clock substitute Matthew Clancy picked up a pass from

Derek Savage and drilled it home.

Galway now led by two and further scores from Padraig Joyce and Paul

Clancy in the final minute added to Galway's tally.

Dermot Healy pulled a point back for the Northerners but it was too

little too late for a plucky side who had most of the possession.

Galway now go back to Croke Park in four weeks and face the winners of

Kerry and Meath - they also now hold the dubious honour of being the

first football team to progress to a final without being provincial

champions.