GALWAY senior hurlers advanced to a Walsh Cup final date against Dublin after edging out a gritty Offaly outfit in the penultimate stage of the competition in Tullamore on Saturday.

Although the Tribesmen started all guns blazing, hitting six points without reply through Aonghus Callanan, Joe Gantley (3), David Burke and Ger Farragher, a determined Offaly – compliments of a Ger Healion 23rd minute goal – managed to gain parity in the second quarter.

It looked as if there would be nothing between the sides at the half-time break, but then an incisive delivery from Farragher found Beagh’s Joe Gantley lurking inside, and he made no mistake in dispatching the ball to the home side’s net.

Leading 1-11 to 1-6 at the change of ends, Galway continued this rich vein of scoring form early in the second period as Gantley – who finished with a total of 1-6 from play on the day – tormented the Offaly defence.

Consequently, John McIntyre’s side opened up a nine point advantage and it seemed as if they would coast to victory thereafter. However, a Shane Dooley goal on 61 minutes reignited the Offaly challenge and as the game headed for full-time they had reduced the deficit to just three points.

Indeed, Joe Dooley’s outfit could have even forced the contest to extra-time, but Galway ’keeper James Skehill deflected a late 21-yard free by his Offaly counterpart Eoin Kelly over the bar to preserve Galway’s lead.

Galway rallied again, with Farragher, Burke and Cyril Donnellan tallying some neat points late on to seal a narrow victory for Galway.

The win sets up a Walsh Cup final clash against Dublin, who defeated Wexford 2-17 to 2-13 despite being reduced to 13 men for the closing quarter.

No doubt, Galway – without their Portumna contingent – will be wary of Dublin’s challenge, particularly as the Westerners suffered a humiliating 2-21 to 0-15 defeat to the same opposition in the National League in the Spring of last year.

It is a tough ask for Galway, who, in addition to the absence of the Portumna crew, have a number of players on the treatment table, including Turloughmore defender Fergal Moore and Craughwell duo Adrian Cullinane and Niall Healy. The squad has also been hit by the withdrawal of St. Thomas’ Richie Murray and Gort’s Andy Coen, not forgetting Conor Dervan’s 48 weeks ban being reimposed.

Meanwhile, the Walsh Cup final with Dublin has been fixed for Parnell Park on Sunday (12.45pm) ahead of Portumna’s All-Ireland Club semifinal against Dunloy at the same venue.