Kilkenny 3-22

Galway 5-16

GALWAY CAME FROM 10 points down with six minutes to play in O’Connor Park, Tullamore this afternoon to ensure their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final with Kilkenny would have to go to a replay.

Second half goals from TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly and an eight minute spell where they outscored Galway by 1-8 to 0-1 looked to have assured Kilkenny a trip to the Leinster final to face Dublin.

However, Galway scored three goals – two from Conor Cooney and one, a penalty, from Joe Canning – with their last four shots of the game to force a replay, provisionally fixed for Tullamore next Saturday evening.

Even after their fightback brought them level, Henry Shefflin – on as a second half substitute – pointed from a seemingly impossible angle deep into injury time to restore Kilkenny’s lead.

However, with the seconds ticking away, Galway were afforded one more attack and Canning did what was asked of him.

The second half was in complete contrast to an opening period dominated by yellow cards – six in all – and two scrappy goals that saw the sides go in level, 1-9 apiece, at the break.

While Galway started the second half the better of the two sides – establishing their only two point lead of the game – Kilkenny kicked up a gear and were ten points ahead thanks in large part to TJ Reid who finished with 1-8.

Nothing though, could have prepared those in attendance for the finish that was in store and the two sides must do it all again next week.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 1-8 (0-6f), Colin Fennelly 1-3, Richie Hogan 0-5 (0-1f) Eoin Larkin 1-1, Padraig Walsh 0-2, Tommy Walsh, Henry Shefflin, Aidan Fogarty 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 2-7 (0-4f, 0-265), Joe Canning 2-3 (2-0p), Niall Burke 1-2, Jason Flynn 0-2, Andrew Smith and Jonathan Glynn 0-1 each.

KILKENNY
1 Eoin Murphy – Glenmore
2 Paul Murphy – Danesforth
3 JJ Delaney – Fenians
4 Brian Kennedy – St Lachtains
5 Kieran Joyce – Rower Inistioge
6 Jackie Tyrrell – James Stephens
7 Cillian Buckley – Dicksboro
8 Padraig Walsh – Tullaroan
9 Richie Hogan – Danesfort
10 Walter Walsh – Tullogher Rosbercon
24 Mark Kelly – O’Loughlin Gaels
12 TJ Reid – Ballyhale Shamrocks
13 Colin Fennelly – Ballyhale Shamrocks
14 Richie Power – Carrickshock
15 Eoin Larkin – James Stephens

Subs: Michael Walsh for Kennedy (34); Tommy Walsh for Walter Walsh (43); Aidan Fogarty for Power (52); Henry Shefflin for Mark Kelly (62); Brian Hogan for Tyrrell (68).

GALWAY
1. Colm Callanan – Kinvara
2. Fergal Moore – Turloughmore
3. Ronan Burke – Turloughmore
4. David Collins – Liam Mellowes
5. Daithi Burke – Turloughmore
6. Iarlaith Tannian – Ardrahan
7. Johnny Coen – Loughrea
8. Andrew Smith – Portumna
9. Padraig Brehony – Tynagh Abbey Duniry
10. David Burke – St Thomas
11. Niall Burke – Oranmore Maree
12. Conor Cooney – St Thomas
13. Cathal Mannion – Ahascragh Fohenagh
14. Joe Canning – Portumna
15. Jason Flynn – Tommie Larkins

Subs: Jonathan Glynn for Mannion (35); Kevin Hynes for Smith (49); Gearoid McInerney for Brehony (60); Joe Cooney for David Burke (62); Damien Hayes for N Burke (63).

Referee: Johnny Ryan (Tipperary)

First published at 6pm.

As it happened: Galway v Kilkenny, Leinster senior hurling semi-final