Hayes’ Tribesmen come of age to win Croker classic

Galway 5-18 Kilkenny 4-18

There was a stunning feast of goals which lit up this extraordinary contest from its frenetic start to breathtaking finish.

In different circumstances, Ger Farragher’s massive contribution of 2-7 in the first half-hour, combined with the hat-trick of goals from Niall Healy in a 12-minute period in the second half, would have all but guaranteed it much earlier. But, for all their shortcomings on the day, Kilkenny were never going to go down without a brave fight and right up to the bitter end there was the possibility of them forcing a draw.

However, to the immense credit of manager Conor Hayes and an almost superhuman effort from his youthful team, it never amounted to much more than a brave rallying effort from the Leinster champions. They were chasing the game almost from the start after Eddie Brennan’s early scoring threat was curbed, when both Peter Barry and Derek Lyng were replaced around the three-quarters stage and, just even more notably, when DJ Carey was marked out of the game.

Clearly benefiting hugely from the new championship structure, Galway possessed unbelievable pace and had the talent to harness it to devastating effect. And, probably because of their success at under-age level, they had the confidence to deliver an amazing performance.

After a second-minute point from David Tierney, Kilkenny grabbed the initiative with an Eddie Brennan goal very quickly afterwards and two more points from him during a spell when Tommy Walsh was buzzing out around midfield. It saw them lead 1-3 to 0-2 after nine minutes, but they were to go 14 minutes without a score. And, by then Galway were beginning to display the qualities which were to see them dictate the game at an often ferocious pace. Most tellingly of all, they were never to fall behind after Farragher pointed his sixth free in the 26th minute.

Up to then, Brennan’s was the only goal scored, but some significant events were to have a big bearing on the way the game was being contested. Firstly, Galway quickly reacted to Brennan’s threat by moving selected centre-back Shane Kavanagh from the right to the left corner. That was in the 11th minute and it had an immediate effect.

Even at this early stage, it was worrying to Kilkenny for the reason that they were gaining little from Henry Shefflin (very well marked by Tony Óg Regan) before he moved to the left corner where he didn’t fare much better.

While Ollie Canning was effectively policing Carey in what was for him the unusual position of full-back Derek Hardiman was absolutely superb at right half-back for Galway. And, even though Tommy Walsh was to play consistently for Kilkenny and hit the high spots in short bursts, his direct opponent, David Tierney, was hugely influential all through.

It wasn’t to be apparent until well into the game, but the loss of Noel Hickey and the stability he provided in front of goal undermined Kilkenny. At the same time, it was far from being a major factor in the result because they were conceding possession in a variety of areas - another key factor being Galway’s marvellous support play which saw them win a lot of ball from broken play and provide constant assistance for players under pressure.

With scores having been level in the 20th, 26th and 28th minutes, the game exploded into life when Farragher goaled twice in the 31st minute. The first came from an opening created by Tierney and the second when he finished the ball to the net after Kavanagh was beaten to a ball by Hayes, whose angled shot was stopped by James McGarry.

And there was even more drama to follow, first when Henry Shefflin goaled in the 34th minute (taking advantage of an unfortunate mistake by Canning) and John Hoyne had the ball in the net in injury time.

With supporters on both sides in a frenzy of excitement, Galway turned over with a three points lead, 2-11 to 3-5.

When Kilkenny had levelled the scores for the last time within eight minutes of the resumption, there was every possibility of them continuing their recovery. But, the promise was short-lived.

Galway showed real character in responding quickly and being confident enough to maintain their challenge at a consistently high level - and at a pace which continued to stretch the Kilkenny backs. Niall Healy goaled in the 44th minute and by the time he had the ball in the net for the second time seven minutes later Galway were seven points clear. In another five minutes Healy completed his hat-trick and the margin had been stretched to 11 points.

In the remaining 17 minutes, Galway were to manage just a single score as Kilkenny came storming back with another goal from Brennan and a string of inspiring points. Notably, Shefflin missed a goal opportunity when he failed to connect with a loose ball at the edge of the square, Power took a point when there was a goal on and Brennan, too, opted to put the ball over the bar when he might have tried for the net.

Scorers: Galway: G. Farragher 2-9 (0-8 frees); N. Healy 3-0; R. Murray, D. Tierney and D. Forde 0-2 each; F. Healy, D. Hayes and K. Broderick 0-1 each. Kilkenny: H. Shefflin 1-9 (0-7 frees, 0-1 ‘65); E. Brennan 2-4; J. Hoyne 1-0; R. Power 0-2; T. Walsh, E. Larkin and M. Comerford 0-1 each.

GALWAY: L. Donoghue (capt.); S. Kavanagh, O. Canning, D. Joyce; D. Hardiman, T. Óg Regan, D. Collins; F. Healy, D. Tierney; R. Murray, D. Rode, A. Kerins; G. Farragher, N. Healy, D. Hayes.

Sub: K. Broderick for N. Healy (67th).

KILKENNY: J. McGarry; M. Kavanagh, J. Tennyson, J. Ryall; R. Mullally, P. Barry (capt.), J.J. Delaney; D. Lyng, T. Walsh; M. Comerford, H. Shefflin, J. Hoyne; E. Larkin, D.J. Carey, E. Brennan.

Subs: R. Power for Hoyne (43rd); B. Hogan for Barry (52nd); E. McCormack for Lyng (53rd); J. Tyrrell for Larkin (62nd).

Referee: S. Roche (Tipperary) - Overall, Seamus Roche’s refereeing was very good, except that he made a small number of poor calls - one in particular against Peter Barry - and misjudged a few ‘advantage’ decisions.