Cats spoilt for choice

Kilkenny 0-20

Ultimately they were dominant over Galway in almost every sector in what had earlier been a close encounter.

At midfield, last year's captain Andy Comerford, a flu victim, will surely have noted the performance of newcomer Tommy Walsh with interest. In a man-of-the-match performance, the Tullaroan youngster thrilled the large attendance, capping a skilful display with four points from the centre of the park, off left and right.

Just as impressive however, and probably the principal reason Kilkenny are a real threat to repeat not just their championship heroics but their double-winning act of last year, was the performance of the team on the line.

Galway led 0-6 to 0-2 after 16 minutes when Kilkenny manager Brian Cody made his first move. Rangy full-forward Martin Comerford was switched from full-forward to centre where, with his pace and deceptive skills, he proceeded to set up a plethora of chances, taking one himself.

This move inspired Kilkenny to within a point of the visitors at the break(0-9 to 0-8), playing into the stiff breeze. Three of those eight Kilkenny points came off the stick of young Walsh.

In the second half, and in another display of off-field wit, with the wind at their backs, the ever-dangerous Comerford was back at full-forward though that move took time to pay dividends.

James Coogan, impressive overall as Shefflin's replacement as centre-forward and free-taker, put the sides level within 30 seconds, but then there was the second Galway surge of the game.

Rory Gantley had his fifth point to regain the lead, before the only goal of the game, an error by an otherwise impeccable Philly Larkin, pounced on by Kevin Broderick.

Kilkenny's response, however, was instant and lethal. Six points in five minutes, five from play and from five different players John Hoyne, Comerford, midfielders Walsh and the hard-working Derek Lyng, with Coogan adding one from play after a surging run through the middle.

Despite all the well-merited hoopla about certain individuals, that game-breaking response to the Galway goal typifies the real strength of this Kilkenny side.

"We got back into it quickly, and that was important. If Galway had managed to build on that, or if we hadn't got back for the few scores straight away, it would have been difficult. But fair play to the lads, they got the few scores."

The momentum had swung, though Galway still had their chances. Cathal Moore had the next point to bring it back to one again, nearly 20 minutes to go, and for the next 10 there was still nothing in it. Both sides missed chances, but those misses were to prove more costly to Galway.

A 20m free where Gantley opted to test the mettle of McGarry and company proved costly when the keeper made a good save and clearance, a

glaring miss from open space about 45m dead centre by sub Ger Farragher, having been set up by Gantley opportunities scorned, leaving manager Conor Hayes somewha disappointed.

"We played quite well as a team, Liam Hodgins at full-back, Diarmuid Cloonan at centre-back. Up front, if we could shoot straighter, we'd be winning games I still believe we have the forwards but we're not shooting that straight. Three points that went a-begging, that we should have tacked on the board after the goal."

As will happen to any team on any given day, not all the Kilkenny forwards clicked. And in another show of sideline astuteness, three (Mackey, Brennan, McEvoy) made way in the final quarter, replaced by Dowling, Geoghegan and Grehan, who all looked the part.

That's nine forwards, not to mention the three big guns, in contention for places. Add the older Comerford, that solid keeper and defence, the professional and clinical management team who's going to stop Kilkenny this year? It's looking ominous.

Scorers for Kilkenny: J Coogan 0-7 (0-4 frees, 0-1 65); T Walsh (0-4); J Hoyne (0-3); M Comerford (0-2); D Lyng (0-2); S Grehan, J McGarry (free) 0-1 each.

Galway: R Gantley 0-5 (0-2 frees); K Broderick (1-1); O Fahy (0-3); C Moore (0-3).

KILKENNY: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, P Larkin; R Mullally, P Barry, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, T Walsh; B McEvoy, J Coogan, J Hoyne; D Mackey, M Comerford, E Brennan. Subs: B Dowling (Mackey 47); A Geoghegan (Brennan 57); S Grehan (McEvoy 62); blood subs: A Geoghegan (Comerford 50/53); B McEvoy (Walsh 66/70).

GALWAY: L Donoghue; D Joyce, L Hodgins, A Coen; T Óg Regan, D Cloonan, S Kavanagh; R Murray, D Tierney; R Gantley, C Moore, K Broderick; A Kerins, O Fahy, F Healy.

Subs: K Burke (Healy 35); G Farragher (Murray 35); E Donoghue (Regan 47); J Conroy (Kerins 69).

Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary).