‘Change needed’ as Galway caught cold

GALWAY manager Vincent Mullen called for an open draw to the U21 hurling championship following his side’s four-point defeat at the hands of Kilkenny in a keenly-contested semi-final at Thurles on Saturday.

The Connacht side went into the game without a first-round tie and it showed, while it was Kilkenny’s third outing and it was obvious they had been together a lot longer than their opponents.

“The U21 championship is a great competition,” said Mullen. “Players have no inhibitions. Names mean nothing and there is great hurling in it. It would be a pity to let the competition die.