Galway’s free-taking and Kilkenny’s failure to capitalise on an early second-half surge ultimately saw the Cats defeated in Portlaoise on Friday night.
In the first of our two live games for this weekend, Derek Lyng’s side were back in Leinster GAA U20 hurling action with a place in January’s Leinster final at stake.
Donal O’Shea, having put 10 points beyond Kilkenny in their All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Final two years ago, was in fine fettle, putting 12 points over the black spot as Jeff Lynskey’s side never really looked in trouble.
It was level pegging and point-for-point from the first whistle all the way to the first water break but in the “second quarter” Galway stepped things up a gear and would lead by three at the break.
An early second-half goal from Eoin Guilfoyle dragged the Cats back into action but four unanswered points from O’Shea, all from frees, put daylight between the sides again.
Kilkenny were throttled as the Tribesmen continued to rack up second-half scores and book themselves into a Leinster final in the new year.
Final score Galway 0-19, Kilkenny 1-11.
Elsewhere
In the night’s other game, Dublin booked their place against Galway in January with a 1-19 to 1-10 win over Wexford in Netwawtch Cullen Park.
Our live sporting coverage continues on Sunday as Richie Mulrooney’s minor hurlers travel to Chadwick’s Wexford Park to take on Wexford in the Leintser MHC semi-final. Throw-in is set for 12.30pm.
