Kilkenny Under 20’s off the mark after high scoring thriller with Galway

Billy Drennan helped himself to 2-12 as Kilkenny claimed victory over Galway in a high scoring Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship clash at Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.

The game was played in front of a small crowd but those that were in attendance were treated to a high class affair as both sides shared eight goals between them.

Despite trailing by seven points at the halfway mark of the opening half , a pair of Billy Drennan goals kept the Cats in touch as they trailed by three points at the break.

With the aid of a strong second half breeze, Mark Dowling’s side then put the game beyond reach of the Tribesmen when scoring nine points without reply upon the game’s resumption.

Galway did come back into the game with goals from Liam Collins and Gavin Lee but Kilkenny managed to keep their noses in front with late three pointers from Timmy Clifford, Cillian Hackett and Gearoid Dunne.

Both teams came into the game after losing their opening tie to Wexford and Dublin respectively but with Kilkenny able to call on senior players in the shape of Billy Drennan, Timmy Clifford and Gearoid Dunne, they certainly looked the stronger ahead of throw-in.

Initially it didn’t work out like that though as Galway dominated the opening quarter with an early goal from Billy Drennan keeping the Cats in touch.

On the back of that Drennan effort Galway scored 1-6 without reply as Liam Collins proved very effective in the full forward line for the defeated side.

Kilkenny only got their first point from play via Ted Dunne in the 17th minute and they were hanging on somewhat until the same player won a penalty a couple of minutes later which Drennan then converted when sending Galway keeper Darragh Walsh the wrong way.

Timmy Clifford and Killian Doyle duly finished out the half with points in response to Galway efforts from Collins and Gavin Lee.

Galway led 1-12 to 2-6 at the change of ends but before that they lost key player Tiernan Killeen to injury and that seemed the catalyst for Kilkenny to change the tone of the contest.

Kilkenny were simply brilliant in the opening 10 minutes of the second half with Drennan really finding his groove in scoring five points in a nine point without reply spell.

Harry Shine x2, Joe Fitzpatrick and Timmy Clifford also got in on the act as Kilkenny looked to have put the result beyond any doubt.

Galway did rally briefly but when Timmy Clifford got Kilkenny’s third goal in the 50th minute, eight points seperated the teams.

Galway had that gap back to three points on the back of a Gavin Lee goal which arrived on the rebound from a missed Darragh Walsh penalty.

Galway sensed a late opportunity but that hope was quickly washed away when Gearoid Dunne and Cillian Hackett netted in stoppage time for the winners.

Liam Collins did get a third Galway goal before the end but by that stage, the Cats were home and hosed as they claimed a six point victory.

Kilkenny will now meet Dublin at home on Saturday where a win will could seal a Leinster semi-final place.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Billy Drennan (2-12, seven frees and three 65’s), Timmy Clifford (1-2), Cillian Hackett, Gearoid Dunne (1-0 each), Harry Shine (0-2), Joe Fitzpatrick, Ted Dunne, Billy Reid, Killian Doyle (0-1 each)

Galway- Liam Collins (1-10, eight frees), Gavin Lee (1-2), Darren Shaughnessy (1-1), Greg Thomas, Rory Burke (0-2 each), Tiernan Killeen, Sean O’Hanlon, Colm Molloy (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Stephen Manogue (James Stephens); Niall Rowe (Dicksboro), Sean Purcell (Windgap), Padraig Lennon (Carrickshock); Joe Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin), Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Paddy Langton (Young Irelands); Billy Reid (Glenmore), Killian Doyle (Emeralds); Cathal Beirne (Glenmore), Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan); Billy Drennan (Galmoy), Ted Dunne (Graignamanagh), Harry Shine (Dicksboro).

Subs- Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro) for T. Dunne 45 mins, Luke Connellan (Thomastown) for Fitzpatrick 54 mins, Mark Donnelly (St Lachtain’s) for Rowe 58 mins, James Walsh (Kilmacow) for Shine 64 mins.

Galway- Darragh Walsh; Tiarnan Leen, Michael Walsh, Adam Nolan; Patrick Burke, Tiernan Killeen, Sean O’Hanlon; Cillian Trayers, Diarmuid Davoren; Gavin Lee, Rory Burke, Darren Shaughnessy; Kieran Hanrahan, Liam Collins, Colm Molloy.

Subs- Liam Leen for Killeen 28 mins, Greg Thomas for Nolan 36 mins, Oisin Lohan for Davoren 42 mins, Cillian Whelan for T.Leen 55 mins.

Referee- James McGrath (Westmeath)