Galway finish strong against Henry Shefflin's Kilkenny to secure Leinster U20 hurling title

There wasn't too much between the teams heading into the final quarter but when Galway moved up a gear, they sped beyond the Cats to a third provincial win at the grade

CHAMPIONS: Galway's Donnacha Campbell lifts the trophy. Pic: ©INPHO/Stephen Heaney.

Fulfil Leinster U-20 hurling championship final: Galway 2-20 Kilkenny 2-11

With 15 minutes to go in Portlaoise, Galway finally provided the injection of quality that this Leinster U-20 HC had been crying out for.

There wasn't too much between the teams at that stage, just three points, but when Galway moved up a gear, they sped beyond Henry Shefflin's young Cats to a third provincial win at the grade, outscoring the holders by 1-6 to 0-1 in a blistering 12-minute spell.

Jack Shaughnessy, Galway's goalscorer in the first half, helped them to turn the screw in those closing stages with two more points and finished with 1-7.

Vince Morgan grabbed the killer second goal in the 56th minute which finally did for a talented young Kilkenny team who were simply outfought and outthought.

It's Galway's first win since 2021 and aside from being high kings of Leinster, their reward is an All-Ireland final clash with Munster champions Clare in Thurles on Sunday week.

Whether they will have county senior Aaron Niland available for that one remains to be seen. He was a notable absentee for this decider, the first at the grade between Galway and Kilkenny, though fellow senior Jason Rabbitte came on lent to the second half onslaught.

Cullen Killeen, one of the stars of Loughrea's run to last January's All-Ireland club decider, returned to the Galway team.

That was the only change from the side that overcame Wexford after extra time on the same pitch a week earlier.

That meant that senior star Rabbitte, who made such an impact from the bench against Wexford, was kept in reserve again.

An ankle injury ruled out Niland, although the Clarinbridge phenom may have been rested anyhow with Sunday's crucial Leinster SHC tie against Wexford in mind.

What's certain is that Galway still had enough quality to push hard for a first provincial title success since 2021 and they led 1-11 to 1-7 at half time.

Kilkenny had the breeze initially but wides cost them as they registered seven in the opening half.

They led briefly early on after points from Ed Lauhoff and Patrick Lacey, the man of the match in the semi-final win over Dublin.

But Galway got it back to a level game at 0-2 apiece and when Shaughnessy netted for Gavin Keary's crew in the ninth minute, they didn't look back.

Kilkenny's Ed McDermott and Galway's Cullen Killeen. Pic: ©INPHO/Stephen Heaney.

It was a well taken goal by Shaughnessy who was fed by Loughrea clubmate Morgan following an impressive move that began in the full-back line.

Kilkenny briefly drew level at 1-5 to 1-5 when Lauhoff showed his composure to stroke home the loose ball after Ed McDermott's stinging shot from the right broke kindly off the goalkeeper.

But five Galway points in a row late in the half put them in a commanding position.

They almost grabbed a second goal but Jack O'Doherty in the Kilkenny goals somehow blocked Brian Callanan's shot after a barnstorming run through by the Ardrahan attacker.

Galway played their trump card in first half stoppage time - bringing on Athenry ace Rabbitte who was immediately shadowed by Kilkenny senior David Barcoe.

Perhaps it was the gravity of the occasion, with an All-Ireland final spot at stake, but the third quarter was forgettable.

Kilkenny at least cut the deficit by a point with Galway 1-13 to 1-10 ahead after 44 minutes.

Galway finally raised the tempo with three points in a row, seizing the initiative and doubling their lead to six.

Ronan Cahalan impressed as a substitute and his second point nudged Galway seven clear, 1-18 to 1-11.

Glaway wrapped it up with their second goal four minutes from time, Shaughnessy the provider this time for Morgan who was in acres of space.

Ruarc Sweeney clawed back a consolation goal for Kilkenny who lost Barcoe to a second yellow card in the closing moments.

Scorers for Galway: J Shaughnessy 1-7 (5f, 1 '65), V Morgan 1-0, B Callanan 0-3, C Leen 0-2 (1f), D Counihan, C Killeen, R Cahalan 0-2 each, J Rabbitte, M Burke 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilkenny: E Lauhoff 1-2, P Lacey 0-5 (3fs, 1 '65); R Sweeney 1-0, J Conlon 0-2, A Clifford, S Bergin 0-1 each.

Galway: C Callanan; E O'Reilly, M Fallon, T Blake; J Donnellan, D Campbell, G Maher; M Burke, C Killeen; L Kennedy, D Counihan, C Leen; V Morgan, B Callanan, J Shaughnessy.

Subs: J Rabbitte for Counihan (30+2); R Cahalan for Kennedy (h/t); S Moran for Burke (47); G King for Blake (57); H Holmes for Shaughnessy (58).

Kilkenny: J O'Doherty; D Vereker, R Garrett, M Ahern; M Rohan, J Dollard, D Barcoe; J Conlon, B Nevin; A Clifford, E Lauhoff, G Kelly; J Mullen, P Lacey, E McDermott.

Subs: K Buggy for Nevin (24-26); O O'Donovan for Kelly (30); Buggy for Nevin (h/t); R Sweeney for Mullen (38); S Bergin for Dollard (47); C Byrne for Lacey (55).

Referee: A Kinahan (Offaly).