Cats facing sternest test as Tribe ready for battle
Two years ago, Kilkenny claimed the title by 3-6 to 0-13, before Galway gained revenge in last September’s final by 2-15 to 2-11. The next instalment tomorrow (1.30pm) is delicately poised.
Kilkenny have been in supreme form this season as they swept to another convincing Leinster title. The victory margins they have enjoyed illustrates the scale of their dominance – 10 points better than Dublin in the opening round, 12 points to spare over Offaly in the semi-final and they had a 13-point win when they renewed acquaintances with Dublin in the provincial final.
Manager Richie Mulrooney has been delighted with their form but warned that they face their sternest test tomorrow.
“It’s always a step up from the provincial campaign when you reach the All-Ireland series. We were delighted to win Leinster and our semi-final win over Offaly in Tullamore was the performance I was most pleased with.
“But the last two years have shown that Galway are always tough to play against. We got to see them play Waterford and they played some outstanding hurling. I think it’ll be a cracking encounter.”
Galway only made their seasonal bow a fortnight ago when they faced a quarter-final tie against Waterford.
The match featured an extremely composed first-half display by Galway that propelled them into a 1-9 to 0-5 advantage at the interval. But an injury to full-back Daithí Burke unsettled the side for the second half and Waterford’s penchant for striking goals saw them move back into contention. Galway boss Mattie Murphy was glad to escape with a 1-15 to 2-8 victory.
Murphy said: “Losing our full-back at half-time was a problem against Waterford as we had to make a number of alterations to the team, which probably unsettled us. With minors you never know how they’re going to react in Croke Park but it’s a help for us that we’ve had a game there already. But Kilkenny are a serious team with a lot of last year’s minors and also players from St Kieran’s All-Ireland winning colleges side.”
Kilkenny’s scoring capabilities have been impressive this season with Carrickshock’s John Power and Glenmore’s Ger Aylward leading the way. Cillian Buckley also needs to be carefully policed, while centre-back Luke Harney and midfielder Ollie Walsh are other leading lights in the line-up.
Galway will be looking to star forward Shane Moloney – who excelled last season as a 16-year-old in the county’s minor triumph – for inspiration while Daithí Burke, Padraig Brehony, Albert Mullins and Niall Keary have impressed in other sectors of the pitch. Galway need injury doubts over Darragh Burke and Conor McDonagh to clear up but Kilkenny’s form this season still makes it hard to look past them.
* Verdict: Kilkenny
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
