TRIBE GET
AFTER the stalemate came the chaos – and Semple Stadium rocked to the rhythm of it all.
Just seven days earlier, these two teams played out a low-scoring final that saw both defences get on top at Croke Park.
Thanks to Michael Buble’s Saturday night date at headquarters, the rivalry moved south-west to Thurles and the 25,102 souls present got a gig to remember.
Last week’s game was only the third final in the history of this provincial championship not to produce a goal.
Yesterday there were four to enjoy as Galway saw a massive 12-point lead just before the half-time break reduced to a single point with 15 minutes left. And as much as Micheal Donoghue will take satisfaction from how his side started and finished this encounter – they stayed calm and composed under pressure – he will be concerned with the way they took their collective foot off the throat of Kilkenny until powering away in the final 10 minutes.
Donoghue also launched a staunch defence of Joe Canning afterwards.
And while his star man did score 10 points, he also fired six wides to go with the five from last week.
Certainly the first half belonged to Galway, the reigning Leinster and All-ireland champions, and in particular to Johnny Glynn.
Handed a start at full-forward after Conor Cooney’s poor showing in the drawn game, the big targetman wreaked havoc.
Padraig Walsh had dominated at the edge of his square for Kilkenny the previous day but Glynn’s height advantage and physical presence made a difference, his wrecking ball impact forcing the Cats into the concession of a 13th minute goal.
By that stage, the Tribesmen were already well in control but when Paul Murphy failed to deal with a high ball, Glynn pounced with his shot just strong enough to beat keeper Eoin Murphy.
It was the start of a whirlwind purple patch for the big man, who had returned from the States for the summer to give his full focus to Galway’s title defences.
Moments later he was winning another ball in the air and laying it off to Niall Burke, who fed the impressive Cathal Mannion for the second of his six points from play in a man of the match display.
Soon after Glynn fired over himself and Kilkenny looked in big trouble.
TJ Reid, as ever, was doing his utmost to keep them in it but after the effort of their late comeback last week, they appeared to be wilting in the broiling heat as they played into the Town End.
Walter Walsh, their own answer to Glynn, suffered a hamstring strain as early as the fifth minute and he limped out of the action before the 20-minute mark.
By the 33rd minute, Kilkenny were down by 12 points and staring into the abyss.
But just as they managed earlier in the year against Clare and Wexford, they found their way again, a fortuitous goal just before the break by Ger Aylward providing the flimsiest of lifelines. It was something to hold on to and, buttressed by the words of Brian Cody (left), they emerged a different team.
The introduction of multiple All-ireland winners Richie Hogan and Colin Fennelly had loads to do with it too as they scored 2-2 between them in a stirring comeback.
But all over the field there was a reaction from men in black and amber as they took the game to Galway.
Fennelly’s goal came in the 42nd minute when he reacted to James Maher’s point attempt rebounding off the woodwork.
Hogan’s predatory 55th minute strike, after a great take and charge by TJ Reid, left only a point in it.
But Galway composed themselves and finished strongly, with Canning and
Mannion picking off scores.
The consequence of defeat is a meeting with Limerick for the Cats next weekend but
Galway have a couple more weeks after that to sort out their defence.