Galway U20 hurlers produce their best of the season to land Leinster title
Galway continue to exploit Kilkenny's modern-day low in hurling. A second Leinster under-age title in the space of 48 hours in Portlaoise on Wednesday night confirms the county's production line is in rude health.
Galway manager Gavin Keary was naturally thrilled with Galway's third U-20 provincial success, especially as it can sometimes be challenging trying to beat the same team twice in a matter of weeks.
Keary accepted the round-robin system of the title race makes repeat meetings inevitable, but after only winning the first game between the teams by two points, Galway were on a different level in the final.
“The lads have been working hard and very focused in training,” said the Loughrea clubman, who acknowledged it was their best performance of the campaign so far.
“We had injuries coming into the game, but the players were very tuned in which is a great sign. It's just so important for young hurlers to keep having games and, hopefully, progress onto the senior squad.”
Keary wasn't surprised by the quality of Galway's play in their convincing 2-20 to 2-11 win. “Some of these guys are the best players in their clubs and they come in here raising the standards themselves.”
The Galway manager spoke about the importance of following through on the county minors' great comeback in their Leinster Final win over Kilkenny two days earlier.
He said that achievement wasn't lost on his players. “It's great and momentum is huge in this game. Fair dues to the minors and I was delighted for Kenneth Burke [manager] and his group.”