Kilkenny 3-19 Galway 1-17
UNLIKE LAST WEEKEND, Kilkenny weren’t feeling charitable tonight at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.
The Cats will face Dublin in a Leinster SHC final next weekend at Croke Park while Anthony Cunningham will have to prepare his side for a do-or-die clash with Tipperary in the qualifiers.
TJ Reid was the star this evening on his way to scoring 2-11 in total.
He scored a goal and a point within the opening couple of minutes and one would have been forgiven for expecting a rout from the Noresiders. Jason Flynn struck back immediately to keep Galway in touch.
Reid however continued as he started and hit nine points before the sides trotted in 1-11 to 1-9 at the break; the Cats in the driving seat.
In the second half, Brian Cody’s men motored into the distance. Aidan Fogarty’s goal put Kilkenny six points ahead and it felt like a turning point. Joe Canning was moved to the edge of the square but never really made his presence felt all night.
Reid fittingly scored a second goal — his side’s third — and Brian Cody was left to reflect on a job well done at the second time of asking.
Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 2-11 (10 frees), A Fogarty 1-1 P Walsh 0-3, R Hogan 0-2, T Walsh, E Larkin one point each.
Galway: C Cooney 0-12 (8fs, 1 65), J Flynn 1-1, A Smith, David Burke, J Canning, I Tannian all one point each.
Kilkenny: E Murphy; P Murphy, J J Delaney, J Tyrrell; J Holden, B Hogan, C Buckley; R Hogan, C Fogarty; T Walsh, P Walsh, T J Reid; C Fennelly, A Fogarty, E Larkin.
Subs: D Herity for E Murphy (8), J Power for Fennelly (52), L Ryan for Fogarty (57), H Shefflin for T Walsh (61), W Walsh for Fogarty (68).
Galway: C Callanan; F Moore, R Burke, D Collins; P Killeen, Daithi Burke, I Tannian; A Smith, David Burke; J Cooney, J Canning, C Cooney; J Flynn, N Burke, J Glynn.
Subs: D Hayes for J Cooney (half-time), J Coen for N Burke (44), A Harte for J Cooney (49), P Brehony for Smith (56), C Mannion for David Burke (57).
Referee: James Owens
