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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Galway v Kilkenny, Leinster senior hurling championship final replay

The sides are in Thurles to lock horns again just seven days after playing out a draw at Croke Park.

One of the teams is from Connacht, the game is being played in Munster, but it is in fact the Leinster senior hurling final.

After playing out a draw last weekend in Croke Park, the hurlers of Galway and Kilkenny have made the journey to Thurles for this afternoon’s replay.

Throw-in at Semple Stadium is at 3pm and we’ll keep you updated throughout the afternoon.

Here’s how the teams are set to line out. Both are unchanged from the drawn game.

Kilkenny

1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)

2. Paul Murphy (Danesfort)
3. Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan)
4. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)

5. Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
6. Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro)
7. Enda Morrissey (Bennettsbridge)

8. Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own)
9. James Maher (St Lachtains)

10. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan)
11. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
12. Richie Leahy (Rower Inistioge)

13. Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan)
14. Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon)
15. Ger Aylward (Glenmore)

Galway

1. James Skehill (Ceapach an tSeagail)

2. Adrian Tuohy (Beithe)
3. Daithi Burke (An Turloch Mór)
4. John Hanbury (Rathún-An Caisleán Nua)

5. Padraic Mannion (Áth Eascrach-Fothaine)
6. Gearoid McInerney (Órán Mór-Meáraí)
7. Aidan Harte (Gort Inse Guaire)

8. Johnny Coen (Baile Locha Riach)
9. David Burke (Capt.) (Naomh Thómais)

10. Joseph Cooney (Na Sáirséalaigh)
11. Joe Canning (Port Omna)
12. Niall Burke (Órán Mór-Meáraí)

13. Conor Whelan (Cinn Mhara)
14. Conor Cooney (Naomh Thómais)
15. Cathal Mannion (Áth Eascrach-Fothaine)

It’s been a good start to the day for Galway in Thurles. Their minors have booked a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals thanks to a 1-20 to 0-12 win over Limerick.

Dean Reilly and Ben Herlihy Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

What are your predictions for this afternoon’s game?

Let us know in the comments section below.

The action starts at the top of the hour.

Regarding last weekend’s drawn game, Galway legend Joe Rabbitte told us:

“It was the tonic Galway needed, it was a tough game, and when it was over, my gut feeling was that Galway would win the replay.

“Kilkenny came at them all guns blazing and I don’t know will they able to bring it again. I suppose they have a couple of young guys there. The way the team was picked – Padriag Walsh in at full-back was a new one so Galway will have read that situation and maybe they’ll play a team not to suit Kilkenny basically.

“When you look at the Kilkenny team of last weekend, it was a kind of newish team for championship hurling. Galway will be able to put the likes of Jonathan Glynn in a position where he can catch those high balls and maybe break more ball around the forwards.”

The managers, Galway’s Micheál Donoghue and Kilkenny’s Brian Cody, arriving at Semple Stadium with their players earlier.

Michael Donoghue Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Brian Cody Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

News of one late change to each team ahead of throw-in:

Johnny Glynn replaces Conor Cooney for Galway. John Donnelly comes in for Kilkenny in place of Martin Keoghan.

The teams are standing for the national anthem as throw-in approaches.

It’s underway.

Galway 0-1 Kilkenny 0-0

A Joe Canning free gives Galway an early lead.

Galway 0-0 Kilkenny 0-0

Hang on. It’s gone to Hawkeye and it was in fact wide. No score.

Galway 0-0 Kilkenny 0-0

Ferocious intensity in the opening stages, to no great surprise.

Galway 0-1 Kilkenny 0-0

No need for HawkEye this time as Cathal Mannion slots over a fine score.

Galway 0-1 Kilkenny 0-0

Ger Aylward in for a goal chance for Kilkenny but he sends it wide while under pressure from Adrian Tuohy. Conor Whelan then hits a wide for Galway from a difficult angle.

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-0

Conor Whelan makes amends with an excellent point from about 50 yards out. Niall Burke then chips in to increase Galway’s lead.

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-0

Joe Canning goes for the posts with a free from inside his own half but it’s another wide for Galway’s talisman.

 

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-0

TJ Reid aims to get Kilkenny up and running with a free from out on the touchline inside his own half, but it drops short and Galway clear the danger.

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-0

Goal chance for Galway but Mannion and Glynn are smothered by the Kilkenny backs.

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-1

Kilkenny are finally on the board thanks to a smashing TJ Reid effort from out on the left.

Galway 0-4 Kilkenny 0-1

Aidan Harte opens his account.

GOAL! Galway 1-4 Kilkenny 0-1 (Johnny Glynn, 13)

Galway 1-6 Kilkenny 0-1

Galway are flying. Glynn fires past Eoin Murphy, who did manage to get a touch on it, before Conor Cooney and Cathal Mannion increase the lead.

Galway 1-7 Kilkenny 0-1

TJ Reid hits a wide before Glynn gets another Galway point. Kilkenny’s full-back line is really struggling.

Galway 1-8 Kilkenny 0-1

Whelan is fouled and Joe Canning points the free.

Kilkenny have introduced Liam Blanchfield for Walter Walsh, who may have picked up a knock.

Galway 1-9 Kilkenny 0-1

Canning gets his second point of the game, this time from play, before Blanchfield strikes Kilkenny’s third wide.

Apparently it’s a groin injury for Walter Walsh, by the way. He had been going well too, despite Kilkenny’s difficulties.

Galway 1-9 Kilkenny 0-2

TJ Reid slots over a 65 for Kilkenny.

Galway 1-9 Kilkenny 0-2

Richie Leahy increases Kilkenny’s wides tally.

Adrian Tuohey and Ger Aylward Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Galway 1-9 Kilkenny 0-3

Big point by TJ Reid, who gets his second from play from halfway.

 

Galway 1-10 Kilkenny 0-3

Joe Canning stretches Galway’s lead from a free.

Galway 1-10 Kilkenny 0-3

Brian Cody looking frustrated as TJ Reid misses the target.

Galway 1-10 Kilkenny 0-4

Great score by John Donnelly, who was a late replacement on the Kilkenny team for Martin Keoghan.

Galway 1-10 Kilkenny 0-5

TJ Reid raises a white flag with a free. Kilkenny are beginning to find their way back into this game.

 

Galway 1-10 Kilkenny 0-6

Joey Holden bursts forward and produces a brilliant point for the Cats.

Jonathan Glynn celebrates scoring his sides opening goal James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Galway 1-11 Kilkenny 0-6

A brilliant score from Joe Canning, his fourth of the day.

Galway 1-12 Kilkenny 0-6

A brilliant piece of skill by Niall Burke increases Galway’s lead.

Galway 1-13 Kilkenny 0-6

A long-range Canning free pulls Galway further ahead.

Galway 1-14 Kilkenny 0-6

Superb hurling by Cathal Mannion who gets his third point of the afternonn.

Galway 1-15 Kilkenny 0-6

Joseph Cooney gets in on the act, so all six Galway forwards have now scored. It’s not looking good for Kilkenny. Galway have been immense.

GOAL! Galway 1-15 Kilkenny 1-6 (Ger Aylward, 34)

 

Galway 1-15 Kilkenny 1-7

Hugely important score for Kilkenny as Ger Aylward kicks the ball to the back of the net but Galway were unhappy as he appeared to take far too many steps with the ball in his hand. Referee James Owens disagreed.

A TJ Reid free leaves eight between them as we enter the one minute of additional time.

Galway 1-16 Kilkenny 1-7

HawkEye called into action to deliberate on a Joe Canning effort. Unfortunately for him it’s a ‘Níl’, but Conor Whelan gets a point moments later nevertheless.

Half-time: Galway 1-16 Kilkenny 1-7

 

The game has resumed.

Galway 1-16 Kilkenny 1-8

James Maher gets Kilkenny off to a good start in the second half.

Two half-time changes for Kilkenny:

Richie Hogan and Colin Fennelly replace Richie Leahy and Billy Ryan.

25,102 is the attendance at Semple Stadium.

Galway 1-17 Kilkenny 1-8

Canning takes his personal tally to six points with a well-executed free.

Galway 1-17 Kilkenny 1-8

Goal chance for Joe Canning but his volleyed effort goes narrowly wide.

GOAL! Galway 1-17 Kilkenny 2-8 (Colin Fennelly, 41)

 

Galway 1-18 Kilkenny 2-9

A second goal for the Cats and it comes from Colin Fennelly, who has just been introduced. He slotted home the rebound from close range after James Maher’s attempt for a point struck the post.

TJ Reid follows up with a free, but Conor Whelan responds immediately. Six between them.

Padraig Mannion and Liam Blanchfield Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Galway 1-19 Kilkenny 2-9

No problems for Joe Canning with a straightforward free. Richie Hogan then has a shot for Kilkenny but it goes wide.

Galway 1-20 Kilkenny 2-10

Canning makes brilliant contact with a sideline cut but it sails just wide, before Fennelly adds a point to his goal earlier on. An immediate response is then delivered by Cathal Mannion.

Galway 1-20 Kilkenny 2-11

Richie Hogan gets his first point before Conor Cooney hits Galway’s ninth wide of the game.

Galway 1-20 Kilkenny 2-12

Conor Fogarty with a point for the Cats. Galway have been impressive today but Kilkenny are hanging in there. It’s far from over yet.

Galway 1-20 Kilkenny 2-13

TJ Reid reduces the gap to four from a free. The Kilkenny fans are starting to believe.

GOAL! Galway 1-20 Kilkenny 3-13 (Richie Hogan, 55)

Galway 1-21 Kilkenny 3-13

Incredible! The changes have made a difference for Kilkenny as Richie Hogan pulls the ball to the back of the net following a good run by TJ Reid.

Canning hits back for Galway. Two points is the gap now.

Galway 1-21 Kilkenny 3-13

Fogarty thought he had his second point there but HawkEye had bad news for him.

 

Galway 1-22 Kilkenny 3-13

Outstanding point by Cathal Mannion to leave Galway three clear with 10 minutes of normal time remaining.

Galway 1-22 Kilkenny 3-13

Richie Hogan has a go from long range but it goes wide. He’s had a huge impact since coming on, though.

Galway 1-22 Kilkenny 3-14

A free from TJ Reid brings it back to a two-point game. It’s set up for a grandstand finish.

Galway 1-23 Kilkenny 3-14

Another brilliant point from Cathal Mannion. He’s playing a blinder for the All-Ireland champions.

Galway 1-24 Kilkenny 3-14

HawkEye called into action again to confirm a point for Conor Cooney.

Daiti Burke and Billy Ryan Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Galway 1-24 Kilkenny 3-14

Disappointment for Paddy Deegan as he drives forward but sees his shot sail wide.

Galway 1-25 Kilkenny 3-14

A narrow angle but it’s no bother to Joe Canning, who sends Galway five points clear with just over two minutes to play.

Galway 1-25 Kilkenny 3-15

TJ Reid takes his point with a free from close range.

Is there one last push in Kilkenny?

 

Galway 1-26 Kilkenny 3-15

A second point of the day for Aidan Harte.

Galway 1-26 Kilkenny 3-15

Colin Fennelly shoots for goal but it drifts away off a Galway defender, before Eoin Murphy makes a brilliant save from Jason Flynn at the opposite end. Incredible drama!

Galway 1-26 Kilkenny 3-15

Three minutes to be added on.

Galway 1-27 Kilkenny 3-15

Six points between the teams after Joe Canning knocks over a free.

 

Galway 1-28 Kilkenny 3-15

Flynn gets his first point since being introduced.

Full-time: Galway 1-28 Kilkenny 3-15 (Galway retain their Leinster title)

That’s a wrap, folks. Thanks for joining us to follow what was a thrilling game of hurling.

Galway moved up a gear from the drawn game and showed why they’re being so widely tipped to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Plenty of positives there for Kilkenny too, however, after they recovered well from a very slow start.

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