Leinster U20HC round-up: Galway overcome Kilkenny to secure semi spot

GALWAY GOALS: Darragh Counihan and Brian Callanan struck the goals as Galway took care of Kilkenny to top Group 1 and secure their Fulfil Leinster U-20 HC semi-final place. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Darragh Counihan and Brian Callanan struck the goals as Galway took care of Kilkenny to top Group 1 and secure their Fulfil Leinster U-20 HC semi-final place.

Fresh off the Galway seniors' win over Kilkenny last weekend, the U-20s showed real character to grab their own 2-18 to 1-19 win despite a slow start.

Kilkenny led by 0-8 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter in Portlaoise thanks in part to points from free-taker Patrick Lacey, Ed Lauhoff and Ed McDermott.

And they were still five clear approaching the interval but the Counihan and Callanan goals in the 28th and 31st minutes changed the game.

They shoved Galway 2-8 to 0-12 clear at half time and the westerners led from there to full time.

Jack Shaughnessy and Loughrea star Cullen Killeen were among the Galway point scorers as they stretched the gap to five in the third quarter.

Galway needed that cushion because holders Kilkenny redoubled their efforts in the final 15 minutes or so, fighting back to make it a one-point game late on.

Jake Mullen, younger brother of senior star Adrian, Ollie O'Donovan and Sean Bergin pinched points before Lacey netted from a penalty for Kilkenny.

That goal left a point between the teams but Galway, who declined to start senior stars Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte despite naming them, got an insurance score from Shaughnessy right at the death.

It means Galway have finished top of Group 1 with three wins from three and they are through to a May 13 semi-final.

Kilkenny's loss, allied to Wexford's 5-28 to 2-14 win over Kildare, means Wexford have stolen third place by virtue of scoring difference from Kilkenny.

So Kilkenny will have the slightly more difficult quarter-final against Offaly on Monday, May 4 while Wexford will play Laois the same day.

In Group 2, Dublin finished with three wins from three after overcoming 2024 provincial winners Offaly by 4-23 to 0-15.

Tommy Cullen and Darragh Kilduff struck first half goals for the Dubs who led by 2-12 to 0-9 at half time.

Senan Bolger added two more in the second half as Fintan Clandillon's side ran riot.

As a result of the loss, Offaly finished second in Group 2 and will have that tricky quarter-final tie against the Cats.

There was intrigue at the foot of Group 2 also as the winner of the Laois v Meath game would secure the last quarter-final berth.

Laois took the win by 2-18 to 2-13 but for the third game running it was a gutsy performance from Meath.

Patrick O'Callaghan and Cormac Byrne goals propelled Laois to a 2-10 to 1-8 lead at the break.

A second Meath goal during the third quarter gave them hope again but Ruaidhrí Kavanagh, Byrne, Conor Headen and Justin Duggan made sure of the Laois win with points.