Kilkenny survive Galway scare to secure sixth Leinster crown in a row

Kilkenny's grip on the Bob O'Keeffe Cup remains in tact as they retained their provincial title for a sixth year in a row, but the Noresiders were certainly made to sweat with a late Galway fightback just falling short in front of crowd of just over 37,000 in Croke Park.

For much of the contest the match was largely forgettable with both defences on top. Spear heading proceedings in the heart of the Kilkenny defence was O'Loughlin Gaels' Huw Lawlor, who plucked ball after ball from the sky and proved pivotal to his county's win.

On reflection, as they so often are, goals were king for Kilkenny with a 32nd minute netted finish from Mossy Keoghan after a rebounded shot from TJ Reid deservedly giving Derek Lyng's men a buffer on the brink of half-time at 1-9 to 0-8.

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Kilkenny started the second half brightly and bagged six of the half's opening eight points to lead 1-14 to 0-11 midway through the second period.

The westerners were being blown away and further points from Mikey Carey, Cian Kenny, Mossy Keoghan and Stephen Donnelly gave Kilkenny what seemed like an unassailable lead (1-18 to 0-12).

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However, the game to life in the final quarter with Kilkenny kept scoreless for almost ten minutes. Galway delivered punch after punch and a Brian Concannon goal drove them back to within five points with four minutes to play.

But, commeth the hour, commeth Kilkenny. TJ Reid and Mossy Keoghan both raised green flags to swing the pendulum back in their favour and secure an All-Ireland Semi-Final place with an eight point victory.

Full match report in this week's Kilkenny People

Kilkenny - Mossy Keoghan (2-2); TJ Reid (1-4); Adrian Mullen (0-4); Billy Ryan (0-3), Cian Kenny, Mikey Carey, Stephen Donnelly (0-2 each); Paddy Deegan, John Donnelly, Jordan Molloy (0-1 each).

Galway - Cathal Mannion (0-11); Brian Concannon (1-0); Kieran Cooney (0-3); T Kileen (0-2); Sean Linnane, Tom Monaghan, John Fleming, TJ Brennan (0-1 each).

Referee - Johnny Murphy (Limerick)

Listen to the latest episode of the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast below: