Galway overcome Wexford after extra time in Leinster U20 Hurling semi-final
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Galway booked their place in the Leinster U20 Hurling Championship final after overcoming Wexford 2-23 to 1-16 after extra time in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, on Wednesday evening.
Defeated in three Leinster semi-finals and at the quarter-final stage over the last four years, Galway have finally managed to end their struggles in the knockout stages of the Leinster Championship.
There were stages during normal time where Galway’s victory looked in doubt, but they managed to show their quality in extra-time to eventually shake off a spirited Wexford display.
Galway were without senior star Aaron Niland, but substitutes Jason Rabbitte and Cullen Killeen made important contributions from the bench; and goals in extra-time from Brian Callanan and Ronan Cahalan secured victory for the Tribesmen and earned them a first Leinster U-20 final appearance since 2021.
Darragh Counihan and Ciaran Leen stood out in attack for the winners; while Michael Fallon, Jonah Donnellan, and Donnacha Campbell delivered strong performances in defence.
It was a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout the opening period, and Galway looked to have taken control when they landed seven points in a row to move 0-14 to 0-10 clear on 44 minutes. However, Wexford responded impressively and led 1-13 to 0-15 deep into injury-time.
Referee Matthew Redmond awarded Galway a free after Cullen Killeen was fouled on the edge of the D. Ciaran Leen stepped up to take the placed ball, but his initial effort deflected off a Wexford defender and went out for a 65. The Craughwell man then showed great composure to convert the 65 and force extra-time.
Gavin Keary’s side produced arguably their most impressive spell of hurling in extra-time, outscoring their opponents by 2-7 to 0-3.
The sides were evenly matched throughout the opening half, with Wexford taking a narrow 0-8 to 0-7 lead into the break. Sean O’Brien and Jack Nolan were prominent for the Slaneysiders; while Galway relied on the accuracy of free-taker Jack Shaughnessy while playing against a strong wind.
Wexford stretched their advantage to three points early in the second-half through Colin Carley and Ryan Donohue. However, Galway responded impressively, hitting seven unanswered points from Shaughnessy, Rabbitte, Thomas Blake, and Counihan to move 0-14 to 0-10 ahead after 44 minutes.
Wexford fought back when Ryan Donohue set up Ryan Doran, who fired his shot past Galway goalkeeper Chris Callanan for a crucial goal. Further scores from Sean O’Brien restored Wexford’s lead with nine minutes remaining.
Galway levelled through a Ciaran Leen free after Shaughnessy was fouled, but O’Brien edged Wexford back in front heading into stoppage time. With Shaughnessy off the field, Leen took over free-taking duties and he showed composure to convert a late 65 and the Craughwell clubman forced extra time.
Galway took control at the start of extra time as Leen and Rabbitte pushed them ahead before Rabbitte combined with Brian Callanan for a well-taken goal. Wexford only managed two Darragh Ryan frees in response as Cahalan and Rabbitte added further points to leave Galway 1-22 to 1-14 in front at half-time in extra time.
In the space of three minutes midway through the second half of extra time, Wexford forward Sean O'Brien received two yellow cards after fouls on Michael Fallon and Cullen Killeen.
Keary’s side maintained their advantage in the closing stages, and a late Ronan Cahalan goal sealed the victory and set up a Leinster U-20 final clash with Kilkenny next week. The winner of that game will face Munster champions Clare in the All-Ireland final.
Galway: C Callanan, T Blake (0-1), M Fallon, E O’Reilly, J Donnellan, D Campbell, G Maher; M Burke, S Moran; L Kennedy (0-1), D Counihan (0-2), J Shaughnessy (0-7, 0-6 f); B Callanan (1-0), V Morgan, C Leen (0-8, 0-5f 0-1 65).
Subs: C Killeen for Moran (32mins), J Rabbitte (0-3) for Morgan (36mins), G King for Burke (55mins), R Cahalan (1-1) for Shaughnessy (59mins), D Quirke for Blake (70mins), H Holmes for Counihan (75mins), D Burke for Donnellan (79mins).
Wexford: P Quigley; R Donohue (0-1), N Furlong, O Moore; C Mooney, C Doyle (Captain), C Roark; D Daly O’Toole (0-1), R Shannon; T Dempsey, C Carley (0-2), J Nolan (0-3, 0-2f); P Doyle, S O’Brien (0-6, 0-5 f), R Doran (1-0).
Subs: A O’Connell Byrne for Doyle (43mins), C Fanning (0-1) for Doran (53mins), M Kisov for Daly O’Toole (59mins), J Roche for Mooney (60mins), D Ryan (0-2, 0-2f) for Dempsey (60mins), I Reilly for Donohue (66mins), J Dunne for Nolan (66mins).
Referee: M Redmond (Kildare)