Galway boss Micheál Donoghue called for reinforcements in Nowlan Park yesterday—and three key figures stepped up to deliver a vital win over Kilkenny.
Declan McLoughlin rattled the net early in both halves and chipped in with a couple of superb points.
But it was commanding displays from Gavin Lee and Pádraic Mannion that truly laid the foundation for Galway’s much-needed victory.
The Tribesmen were reeling from a heavy defeat to Tipperary in Pearse Stadium last week, but they responded in emphatic fashion.
Speaking after the game, the Galway boss said: “We didn’t plan to make as many changes as we did,”
“But the message was clear—when you get your chance, you have to take it, and the lads that came in today did really well.”
McLoughlin certainly made the most of his opportunity.
He had already made an impact as a substitute against Tipp, and within five minutes yesterday, he had Kilkenny goalkeeper Aidan Tallis picking the ball out of his net.
However, Kilkenny had their own attacking ace in Martin Keoghan, who was in electric form, firing over seven points from play to add to the five he scored against Clare last week.
Cian Kenny also contributed three points, while Conor Whelan was lively but struggled against Kilkenny’s physical defence.
Where Galway truly dominated was in midfield and across the half-back line.
Gavin Lee initially dropped deep to nullify Eoin Cody, and between his defensive effort and some uncharacteristic errors from the Ballyhale sharpshooter, Lee won that battle decisively.
The Connacht man also charged forward to land three points, though even he was outshone by the outstanding Mannion.
Between them, Mannion, Lee, and midfielder Tom Monaghan contributed six first-half points, helping Galway to a 1-11 to 0-10 lead at the break—Kilkenny simply lacked that same scoring threat from deep.
Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng acknowledged his side’s struggles in attack but said it wasn’t just down to the forwards.
He said: “At times, we could have played the ball in quicker, and that can be frustrating for the forwards as well.
“It’s an overall thing—we need to be better.”
Galway’s lead stretched to eight points when McLoughlin pounced on a rebound to slot home his second goal, but Kilkenny were never going to roll over.
Billy Ryan and Shane Walsh made a big impact off the bench, with David Blanchfield and Pádraic Moylan also playing key roles as Kilkenny fought back.
Galway endured an 18-minute scoring drought, and when Cody finally converted one of his goal chances with a fierce drive from 15 metres, the scoreboard read 1-19 to 2-15—suddenly, a classic Kilkenny comeback was on the cards.
However, Galway held their nerve. Darren Morrissey burst forward to win two crucial frees, which Jason Flynn converted, and a soaring point from Whelan sealed the win.
Galway boss Donoghue added: “With youth, you get enthusiasm
“Fair play to them—when we needed lads to be brave, to work the ball, and to come off the shoulder, they did that.”
His call to arms had been answered.
KILKENNY 1-19 GALWAY 2-19
KILKENNY: A Tallis; P Moylan (0-1), M Butler, H Lawlor; M Carey, D Blanchfield, Z Bay
Hammond; P McDonald (0-1), P Deegan; M Keoghan (0-7), C Kenny (0-3), L Connellan; L
Hogan (0-1), E Cody (1-6, 0-6f), G Dunne.
Subs: S Murphy for Bay Hammond (24), B Ryan for Hogan (half-time), B Drennan for
Connellan (46), H Shine for Deegan (52), E Lyng for Moylan (61)
GALWAY: D Fahy; D Morrissey, G Lee (0-3), S Morgan; TJ Brennan, F Burke, P Mannion (0-
2); T Monaghan (0-3), C Fahy (0-1); J Fleming (0-1), T Killeen (0-1), J Cooney (0-1); C
Cooney (0-1f), D McLoughlin (2-2), C Whelan (0-1).
Subs: D Burke for Brennan (52), J Flynn (0-3f) for J Cooney (54), K Cooney for C Cooney
(56), S Linnane for D Burke (61-65, blood), S Linnane for Fleming (66), A Burns for
McLaughlin (69)
Referee: Tomás Walsh (Waterford).
