Kilkenny win U21 hurling final

Kilkenny 2-13 Galway 0-12

Goals either side of half-time from forwards Aidan Fogarty and Conor Phelan saw the Kilkenny U21s secure All-Ireland victory number three in the space of seven days at a rain-soaked Semple Stadium.

Although behind in the early stages, the Cats impressed throughout with seniors Phelan, Tommy Walsh and midfielder JJ Delaney always prominent.

Galway, for all their effort and improvement on their 18-point drubbing to Limerick in last year’s decider, will be devastated to lose their sixth final since their last success back in 1996.

Galway had edged in front inside the first half's final ten minutes by 0-6 to 0-5, before Fogarty struck home his second goal attempt on 25 minutes.

Galway midfielder Kevin Brady struck over Galway's first point in the opening minute, and blazed over from the touchline in the final seconds of the half, to keep John Hardiman's side within touch, at 0-7 to 1-7

A mistake by Galway back Tony Og Regan allowed Peter Cleere to hand pass beyond the maroon back three for wing-forward Phelan to edge Kilkenny clear with their second goal in the second half’s opening minute.

Points from Cleere, two more from man-of-the-match Phelan (1-4) and a final score in the 50th minute from Tommy Walsh saw out a deserved win for the black and amber men.

Galway were best served by the ball-winning skills of substitute Niall Healy, with full-forward Ger Farragher kept strangely quiet.