A late goal from substitute Willie O'Dwyer crowned a workman-like victory for champions Kilkenny as they beat Galway 1-16 to 1-10 in Salthill to book a place in the NHL Division 1 semi-finals.
Brian Cody’s charges gained a last-four berth as table-toppers as they chalked up their fourth win in five league games in what was a repeat of last year's memorable All-Ireland semi-final tussle.
Galway lent heavily on their league top scorer Ger Farragher, who came into the game having hit 2-25 in four games, in the opening half. He notched five points to help the home go in at the break at 0-07 apiece.
Kilkenny began well with Michael Reid and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick raising white flags but their 0-03 to no score advantage soon evaporated and the Cats were held scoreless between the seventh and 27th minutes.
A Richie Power free saw Kilkenny cut the gap to 0-04 to 0-05 and points from Martin Comerford, Power and Eoin Larkin pushed Cody's men back in front before an injury-time point from Farragher levelled matters.
The Cats charged out to a 0-14 to 0-09 lead, with 14 minutes remaining. Niall Healy and Farragher were on target for the Tribesmen but a five-point burst that included fine scores from Aidan Fogarty, Donnacha Cody – from a long range free – and impressive sub O’Dwyer effectively handed the win to Kilkenny.
Healy (free) pulled one back before Fogarty was hauled down for a late penalty. Power hit a rising shot over the bar, but moments later, O'Dwyer was on hand to rifle to the Galway net and close the deal for the holders.
