[ad_1]
Kilkenny was forced to dig deep as they responded to a comeback from Dublin. Brian Cody’s team will face Galway in the decider of the Leinster Hurling Championship, which enjoyed a sweeping victory over Wexford.
Last Updated: 10/31/20 8:12 pm
Conor Whelan was in his prime
Galway and Kilkenny will meet in the final of the Leinster Hurling Championship for the sixth time, after beating Wexford and Dublin respectively at Croke Park.
Galway 1-27 Wexford 0-17
The Tribesmen sent a strong statement to the rest of the country, with a sweeping 13-point victory over Wexford. Shane O’Neill’s team dethroned Leinster’s reigning champions, and the big names were back in top form.
The first half was a shootout, with Joe Canning and Lee Chin exchanging releases throughout. However, the Westerners’ inside forwards, Conor Whelan and Brian Concannon, began to take the lead. The duo were fouled from the Model County rearguard, winning free for Canning to keep the score going.
Their breakthrough finally came in the 30th minute, when a long-distance free kick landed in Wexford Square. Mark Fanning couldn’t deal with it, and Concannon got him into the net, helping Galway to a 1-13 to 0-10 lead at the break.
The second half was a mere procession, as Galway stretched his lead to seal the victory.
After a disappointing 2019, Galway is back.
Concannon packs in goal
Kilkenny 3-20 Dublin 2-22
Dublin came close to pulling off a remarkable comeback in the opener from Croker’s double header.
Goals from TJ Reid, Billy Ryan and Colin Fennelly helped the Cats take a 3-13 to 0-7 lead at halftime, and it was finished at halftime.
Walter Walsh Fields on Daire Gray
But Mattie Kenny featured Eamon Dillon and Ronan Hayes to inject life into the Sky Blues after the break, and it worked like a charm. The Dubs returned to the competition with goals from Hayes and Chris Crummey.
Surprisingly, the Dubs leveled it in the 70th minute thanks to Daire Gray. But despite all the momentum in the direction of the Dubs, Kilkenny mustered an answer. The scores from Alan Murphy and Huw Lalwor dragged them over the line, as they advance to the final, seeking their first Bob O’Keeffe Cup win since 2016.
[ad_2]