Galway minor hurlers complete hat-trick against Kilkenny in Leinster Championship

Their two-point victory in the second round of the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship moved them closer to sealing a place in the provincial semi-final.

Defenders Joey McMahon and Cathal Donoghue impressed, the midfield partnership of Gus Lohan and Jamie Egan gave Galway plenty of energy around the middle third, while Anthony Poinard and Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh pulled the strings in attack, scoring 0-15 between them.

Although Galway had seven different scorers and 13 of their 22 points came from play, Kilkenny relied heavily on placed balls, with 1-8 of their 3-11 tally coming from frees. The boys in maroon, however, found it difficult to shake off the hosts throughout.

Kenneth Burke’s side looked sharp early on and led 0-8 to 0-5 midway through the opening half. Their accuracy was impressive, scoring eight points from nine shots.

Anthony Poinard converted four frees, captain Gus Lohan added two points, while Michael Coen and Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh also raised white flags.

Kilkenny’s Joe Dowling ensured the game did not slip away, hitting five first-half points. He cut the gap to two on 16 minutes, and soon afterwards the hosts led for the first time when Padraic Meany fired his shot past Galway goalkeeper Mark Walsh.

Vice-captain Mac Cárthaigh, who missed Galway’s opening-round win over Laois, began to find space in attack, while Poinard added another free to put Galway 0-10 to 1-6 ahead.

Two more Dowling frees and an excellent score from Ruairi Power under the stand restored Kilkenny’s lead before Poinard’s sixth free of the half left Galway trailing 1-9 to 0-11 at the break.

Dominant on the restart, Galway hit six unanswered points by the 38th minute. Mac Cárthaigh came to the fore landing three points during this period and the Sarsfields clubman had now scored five points from play.

Kilkenny, however, were handed a lifeline when Dowling struck for their second goal to reduce the deficit to 0-17 to 2-9.

Referee Dean Alfred then issued Kilkenny captain Jack Treacy a second yellow card on 41 minutes, reducing the Cats to 14 players.

Dowling pointed again to leave just one between them on 43 minutes, but Galway took advantage of the extra man through two more Poinard frees and a fine Cathal Larkin effort from an acute angle.

Kilkenny were then awarded a 21-metre free for dissent from the Galway management team. Brennan buried the chance into the net, bringing his side back into the contest, and Brion Walsh levelled matters with ten minutes remaining.

Galway, however, responded through Eoghan McElearn and Poinard late on to secure an important win. On 62 minutes, Micheal Meany was dismissed on a second yellow card and Kilkenny were now down to 13.

They were then awarded a close-range free and attempted to work it short in search of a goal, but Galway bodies were thrown on the line in defending heroically to hold on for a narrow victory.

Burke’s side now turn their attention to a clash with Dublin in round three of the Leinster SHC on Saturday at Parnell Park (2pm). A win or draw will be enough to see them book their place into the last four of the championship.

​GALWAY: M Walsh (Carnmore); E White (Craughwell), D O’Shaughnessy), J McMahon (Athenry); C Donoghue (Clarinbridge), C Lynskey (Liam Mellows), U Leen (Craughwell); G Lohan (0-2, Captain, Oranmore Maree), J Egan (0-1, Oranmore Maree), E McClearn (0-2, Loughrea), T Mac Cárthaigh (0-5, Sarsfields), T McAdam (Carnmore); C Larkin (0-1, Killimor), M Coen (0-1 Clarinbridge), A Poinard (0-10, 0-9f Athenry). SUBS: C Leen (Craughwell) for Coen (45), K Boyle (Kilnadeema Leitrim) for Larkin (49), U O’Connor (Ardrahan) for McLearn (61).

KILKENNY: E O’Gorman; M Meany, S Kavanagh, S Corcoran; P Grace, J Treacy (Captain); J Bolger, P Meany (1-0), R Lacey, J Dowling (2-9, 1-8f), J Walsh; R Phelan, R Power (0-1), B Walsh (0-1). SUBS: S Morrissey for J Walsh (38), D Lawlor for Phelan (43), C Franks for B Walsh (55), C O’Neill Pembroke for Grace (56).

REFEREE: Dean Alfred (Dublin)