Leinster SHC final: Galway 2-15 Kilkenny 1-25
KILKENNY boss Brian Cody was delighted to see his side claim their 70th Leinster title, but after a massively physical encounter with Galway Cody was mostly relieved to be in the All-Ireland semi-final.
The Cats never trailed after the sixth minute of this encounter and despite shooting eight first half wides, they still managed to lead by three points at the break.
Joe Canning fired a goal to remember just before half-time to pull Galway back to within touching distance at the interval and substitute Jason Flynn levelled matters in the 37th minute with his side’s second goal, but Kilkenny always had the ability to find scorers easier and they eased to the win in the end.
Sunday’s Bob O’Keeffe Cup triumph is Cody’s 38th trophy as a manager, but he cared not a jot about his personal tally. Back-to-back Leinster titles was his only concern.
“Today’s one is the one that matters and we’re very happy obviously to have the win,” said Cody.
“We were massively tested and I think the way we responded each time was terrific. We got a small bit of a lead and coming up to half-time they hit us with a goal. And they hit us straight away with a goal at the start of the second half.
“They are great times to get scores, but the reaction and the response at all times was very good. We dug in, kept going, kept working and got some great scores. The attitude of the whole team right through the game was the most pleasing thing.”
TJ Reid top scored for Kilkenny with 1-9 and his goal in the 28th minute came at a time of real dominance from Cody’s troops. Before his goal, Kilkenny hit five of the previous six points and he put them 1-10 to 0-6 ahead after he ran on to Ger Aylward’s pass and rounded Colm Callanan.
But Galway hit back in style through a stunning Canning goal. A long delivery from Andy Smith was sent towards Canning at the edge of the large square. He caught the ball with his back to goal, turned immediately and fired a bullet past Eoin Murphy.
How he found the target when shooting on the spin and off balance was a mystery, but Galway would have been happy to only trail by 1-11 to 1-8 at half-time.
Kilkenny could have been well clear at the break but eight wides meant they didn’t get the return their attacking play deserved. Two minutes after the restart they were punished as Galway goaled again.
Once more it was a long ball from Smith that produced the opening but, with the Kilkenny defence attracted to Canning, Flynn crept in behind the cover to hit the net and level the scores. And while the sides swapped points for the following five minutes Galway could never take the lead. Instead Kilkenny took control with five points in a row with 20 minutes to go.
A mini Galway rally instigated by Cyril Donnellan brought Galway back to three points behind with eight minutes remaining, but the Cats his four points from play in the closing stages to wrap up the win.
“We got some very very good scores. But there was opportunities we didn’t take also which is part and parcel of every game," said Cody.
“We are Leinster champions now and in the All-Ireland semi-final, but Galway are still in the championship and they will be a serious serious challenge for anybody."
Galway manager Anthony Cunningham echoed Cody’s analysis and insisted his youthful side will flourish through at the quarter-final stage.
“There was very little in it, it was some battle there. We missed one or two scores there, but playing Kilkenny you have to be taking your chances, through no fault of anybody,” said Cunningham.
“Up front we had chances, and the margins are very very slim. We needed those to make it. Fair play to Kilkenny, congrats to them, they were slightly better than us today but there was not a lot in it.
“I think we did tremendously well, but something huge and positive is there in Galway. Something massive to build on from today, we hope that we can drive on from today. The challenge for us is to bring this game to the quarter-final.
“This is where everyone wants to play and to get into an All-Ireland, but for us it’s the 26th of July. We want to bring the ability that this team has is tremendous. We want them to really express themselves, whoever we meet is going to be tough, but we’re willing.”
