GAME AT A GLANCE

Cathal Mannion (Galway)

He scored six points, three in either half, from play, including two after Kilkenny had cut the deficit to a point at the three-quarter stage.They were pressure shots but he held his nerve, which was very important at a time when the momentum was with Kilkenny.

Having had two ferocious battles with Galway in a week, can Kilkenny recover from their exertions in time for next weekend’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Limerick? It’s a big ask. Still, they will be encouraged by the many positive elements of yesterday’s recovery after being run ragged early on. How many other counties would have cut a 12-point deficit against the All-Ireland champions to one? From a Galway perspective, the most satisfying aspect was how they remained calm when Kilkenny came back at them in the third quarter.

James Owens did well, except on the handpass rule. Like all his colleagues nowadays, he allowed highly suspect transfers to go unpunished but that’s the norm. Who authorised referees to ignore the stipulation that there must be a visible striking action with the hand? The ruled should be either applied or scrapped.

WIDES

Galway 11 (6 in first half) Kilkenny 10 (5)

FREES Galway 11 (6) Kilkenny 11 (4)

YELLOW CARDS Galway 0 Kilkenny 1 (P Murphy 17) 25,102

Galway have qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final on Aug 11/12; Kilkenny play Limerick in the quarterfinal next weekend.