'Wounded Animal': Ciarán Kilkenny's Mugging Of Shane Walsh Proved Dublin Are Back

The Jacks are back. Dublin left the shock Leinster semifinal defeat to Meath in the rearview mirror by overturning All-Ireland contenders Galway in Salthill this evening 1-18 to 2-14.

They extracted some revenge for the All-Ireland quarterfinal defeat at Croke Park to Padráic Joyce's men in the process.

It was a composed and ferocious performance from the Dubs, quite unlike the chaos of Portlaoise a few weeks back where Dublin looked spent and jaded.

At the heart of everything that Dublin did well was Ciarán Kilkenny, who was electrifying.

Kilkenny scored two majestic points and was instrumental in galvanising a rejuvenated attack.

However it was a defensive moment that properly summed up his renewed commitment to Dublin's cause.

In the 45th minute of the game, with Dublin leading by two, Shane Walsh had possession not far from the sideline. Walsh was soloing the ball, waiting for some space to open up. All of a sudden, Ciarán Kilkenny raced into the picture, on the right side of the screen.

A moment later, he had closed off Walsh's space.

Kilkenny then engaged Walsh with a legal shove.

Then he bundled Walsh over the sideline.

And best of all, Dublin were awarded a line ball.

It was an alpha moment from one of game's greatest ever players.

On GAA Plus commentary, Kerry great Marc Ó Sé was astonished by Kilkenny's man-marking.

"Unbelievable from Ciarán Kikenny. That's exactly what Dublin are bringing today. Talk about a wounded animal. He's a man on fire."

(Ó Sé also admitted that there might have been a push from Kilkenny at the beginning of the play.)

Two minutes later, Kilkenny scored a beautiful solo point against Paul Conroy that was right out off his 2015 highlight reel.

It was this ruggedness and commitment that the Dubs were badly missing in the Leinster semifinal against Meath.

Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Kilkenny praised the overall commitment of his teammates for withstanding the Galway second half comeback.

"For me, it was the character and resilience we showed when Galway got a goal. The lads kept showing for the ball. They kept breaking the line. They kept wanting the ball. And they showed up towards the end of the game. To get a contest like that, and to stand up like that will stand to us."

Dublin will now turn their attention to All-Ireland champions Armagh.

If there was any doubt, the Dubs will have a massive say in this Championship.