Galway brush aside Kilkenny with ease
The Galway senior hurlers comprehensively cruised past Kilkenny on Saturday evening in round six of the National League at Pearse Stadium.
Micheál Donoghue’s side looked a level above their opponents in every department as Kilkenny struggled to deal with their attacking movement. Galway’s running game and their ability to work the ball through the lines was one of the most impressive aspects of their performance.
Real momentum is starting to build around Galway, having recorded three victories on the bounce against Offaly, Waterford and Kilkenny, and victory for the Tribesmen in their final league game against Limerick would see them reach the league final.
This proved to be Kilkenny's biggest competitive defeat since 1954. Derek Lyng will be hoping to get Mikey Butler, TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen back on the pitch, while the losses of Huw Lawlor and Billy Ryan (to Australia) are significant setbacks. Mikey Carey was also forced off with a hamstring injury on 48 minutes.
Donoghue knows it will be a different test when the sides meet in six weeks’ time in the opening round of the Leinster Championship on Saturday, April 18, at Pearse Stadium.
Defender Joshua Ryan held Martin Keoghan scoreless; while Cian Daniels could be set for a breakthrough season in midfield. Darragh Neary and Rory Burke both returned from injury, while Conor Whelan made his first start of the 2026 league campaign last weekend.
Captain Darren Morrissey has moved into the half-back line and he has fitted seamlessly into the role. In the absence of Daithí Burke, Pádraic Mannion has filled the number six position. Tom Monaghan continues to start in the corner-forward position and play a roaming role.
For the second game in a row Aaron Niland and Cathal Mannion have scored more than half of their side’s total, and both players continue to prove central to Galway’s attacking threat.
The home side won the toss and team captain Darren Morrissey opted to play against the breeze. Niland assumed the free-taking duties on Saturday evening and he barely put a foot wrong. Four points in-a-row from Niland moved Galway 0-6 to 0-2 in front after nine minutes while playing against the elements.
The Cats regrouped with Eoin Cody, Cian Kenny and Jordan Molloy reducing the gap to two points. However, Galway began to regain control. Cathal Mannion added his third point; and Niland nailed a free and a 65 and added two from play, along with scores from Burke and Tom Monaghan to leave them 0-15 to 0-8 clear on 33 minutes. The visitors managed only four points in the final 20 minutes of the first-half and three of those white flags came from Cian Kenny who proved to be their most influential player.
Galway led 0-15 to 0-9 at the interval and were in complete control with breeze advantage to come in the second half. They rattled off the next seven points after the restart.
Mannion and Niland continued to shine in attack, Tiernan Killeen pointed from distance, and Rory Burke sent over a spectacular sideline cut from a tight angle to push Donoghue’s side 0-19 to 0-9 ahead.
Ronan Glennon and Niland found the target, as Galway moved 13 points clear on the 45-minute mark. Kenny, Tom Phelan and substitute John Donnelly replied for the Leinster champions.
The winners reeled off 12 points in the final quarter with Aaron Niland, Conor Whelan, Rory Burke, Pádraic Mannion and Cathal Mannion picking off scores, while the bench made a significant impact with TJ Brennan, Jason Rabbitte Oisín Lohan, Evan Niland and Conor Cooney all making contributions late on. Moore and two further efforts from Kenny were all the visitors could manage in the closing stages in what proved to be a difficult night for them.
Galway: D Fahy; C Trayers, J Ryan, K Hanrahan; R Glennon (0-1), P Mannion (0-1), D Morrissey; C Daniels, T Killeen (0-1); D Neary, C Mannion (0-6), R Burke (0-4, 0-1 sideline); T Monaghan (0-2), C Whelan (0-2), A Niland (0-13, 0-8 f, 0-1 65).
Subs: J Rabbitte (0-01) for Monaghan (53), C Cooney (0-01) for Neary (53), TJ Brennan (0-1) for Morrissey (58mins), E Niland (0-1) for Burke (62mins), O Lohan (0-1) for A Niland (63mins).
Kilkenny: A Tallis; R Garrett, M Carey, I Bolger; D Blanchfield, D Corcoran, P Deegan; C Kenny (0-10, 0-6 f), J Molloy (0-1); L Moore (0-2), E Cody (0-2), L Connellan; N Shorthall, M Keoghan, T Phelan (0-1).
Subs: J Donnelly (0-1) for Connellan (29mins), I Byrne for Moore (34-36mins), K Doyle for Shortall (36mins), R Reid for Deegan (45mins), S Murphy for Carey (inj, 48mins), I Byrne for Molloy (53mins).
Referee: C Lyons (Cork).