Whelan’s point at death earns Galway a draw
CONOR WHELAN played a captain’s role, snatching a draw at the death against Kilkenny in Salthill with a trademark point in the 75th minute. Kilkenny will have left the more disappointed of the sides. They controlled the game for long periods. The home team thundered back into the contest in the last ten minutes and overturned a four point deficit for a share of the spoils. Galway also started the better. Cathal Mannion and Conor Cooney fired the Tribesmen in front.
Things got even better when Gavin Lee got on the end of a crisp passing move to score his second goal in as many games in the 20th minute. Kilkenny settled thereafter. They shot seven points to Galway’s two to lead by four at the break. TJ Reid was dependable from placed balls in this period. Martin Keoghan contributed handsomely too. The Galway faithful hoped for a rally in the second half. It was slow to materialise, despite the best efforts of Lee and Whelan. Kilkenny were clinical with their shot selection and were winning the ruck ball in the middle third. Yet, they gave up a soft goal. In the 43rd minute, Conor Cooney launched a longrange effort. ‘Keeper Aidan Tallis batted the sliotar to prevent the point but found Brian Concannon who doubled on it clinically to register a crucial goal for Galway. Kilkenny responded with seven points to reassert their dominance. Much of the pre-match fanfare revolved around the return of Johnny Glynn and the more than 9,000 assembled nearly got the fairytale ending they craved. Glynn pulled on a loose ball. But it was well-saved. His colleagues had the answers though. Evan Niland shot 0-7 to give Galway a chance. A free in the 74th minute left just a point between the teams. Whelan did the needful with the last play. GALWAY: D Fahy; D Morrissey (J Grealish 29), D Burke, F Burke; S Linnane, P Mannion, C Fahy; R Glennon, D Burke (J Cooney 59); G Lee (J Flynn 69), T Monaghan (E Niland 45), B Concannon (J Glynn 59); C Whelan, C Cooney, C Mannion. Scorers: E Niland 0-7 (0-6f), G Lee 1-2, B Concannon 1-1, C Mannion, C Cooney (0-2f, 0-1 65) 0-4 each, C Whelan 0-3, C Fahy 0-2. KILKENNY: A Tallis; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, P Deegan, S Murphy; C Kenny, R Reid (D Corcoran 70); M Keoghan (G Dunne 70), J Donnelly, T Phelan; B Ryan (J Molloy 48), TJ Reid, L Hogan (O Wall 42). Scorers: TJ Reid 0-8 (0-6f, 0-1 65), M Keoghan, J Donnelly 0-4 each, T Phelan, C Kenny 0-3 each, R Reid, J Molloy 0-2 each, M Butler, D Blanchfield, B Ryan 0-1 each. Referee: T Walsh (Waterford).