Extra time heartbreak for Galway U20s in a thriller

Galway 1-27

THERE were so many twists and turns in this pulsating Leinster U20 Hurling Championship semi-final on Monday, it was difficult to keep track of all that was happening in Tullamore.

But we can say one thing for definite: Galway will be kicking themselves for not maintaining their dominance over Kilkenny at under-age level after a fluctuating struggle was only decided in the dying moments of extra time.

The prospect of a dreaded penalty shoot-out loomed large after Galway captain John Cooney landed a magnificent long-range free to equalise with extra time almost up, only for the Cats to snatch a dramatic winner from defender Joe Fitzpatrick.

It was a cruel outcome for a Galway team which had started at 100 miles an hour, building up an early 0-5 to 0-1 lead, and stood on the brink of victory in normal time only for Kilkenny’s ace marksman Billy Drennan forcing an additional 20 minutes with a terrific last-gasp equaliser.

Galway regrouped and again looked bound for the provincial decider when they led 1-24 to 0-23 after the first period of extra time. Brian Hanley’s charges were getting a big bounce from their substitutes, with one of them, Reuben Davitt, accounting for their goal in the sixth minute of extra time.

But a physically stronger Kilkenny outfit would not go away and with the impressive Drennan finishing a marathon contest with 17 points – all bar one came from placed balls – Galway were left to lick their wounds at O’Connor Park.

It was particularly tough outcome on their top player Liam Collins, who was also in devastating shooting form, except that his haul of a dozen points included five crackers from play. The young Cappataggle player was often outnumbered as Kilkenny operated with a sweeper in Peter McDonald, but he regularly made light of that scenario.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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