The Kilkenny Minors have advanced to a Leinster final after defeating Galway with a commanding score of 4-18 to 1-12.
The two sides have already met in the opening group game, with The Cats coming out on top before suffering back-to-back defeats. Kildare was up next in the quarter-finals, where Kilkenny were made to work for the win. Kilkenny were certainly made work on Sunday with the match 10 points apiece as the teams heading down the tunnel for half-time.
An early goal in the second half from Jake Mullen put the black and amber ahead and they never gave up the lead. The Tribesmen responded well with immediate points from Jamie Ryan and Brian Callahan, however, Ollie O’Donovon struck the back of the net moments later.
Jake Mullen and Ollie Donovon added more goals beside their name however despite the goalscorer’s standing out manager Niall Bergin was full of praise for the whole team, emphasizing the collective effort that led to the victory, “We’re delighted different players are stepping up. Every single day, we’re developing a panel with 32 great fellas there. One of the hardest parts of the job is not making decisions on the line. “
“It’s telling eight fellas that they’re not on the actual match day panel. That’s fierce tough and then obviously those who are on the panel , who don’t come on and all the rest because this is a group effort. This is 100% a group effort and we’re driving each other,” he said.
Looking ahead, Kilkenny is set to face Dublin in the Leinster Final. The match will take place next Saturday, May 25th, at 1:30 PM in Portlaoise.
