Kilkenny managed just 1-02 from play in a chastening experience at Pearse Stadium in Salthill as All-Ireland champions Galway put them to the sword with an impressive display in a 1-22 to 2-11 win.
Galway dominated in the second-half against the wind, with Walter Walsh’s injury-time goal the only score they managed from play with the wind behind them.
Indeed, Kilkenny failed to score a point with the strong breeze with six points from placed balls by TJ Reid all they could muster.
Kilkenny, having played against the fresh breeze, trailed by 1-09 to 1-05 at the break in what was the first Leinster SHC game to played in Galway.
They would have been much further adrift but staged a rally before the interval to cut the gap, having been eight points adrift.
Both sides were guilty of some poor shooting and by the break had registered six wides each.
The sides were deadlocked three times in the opening 20 minutes but then Galway pulled away.
Cathal Mannion edged Galway 0-05 to 0-04 in front after 23 minutes and they built on that score with Brian Concannon and two efforts from Joe Canning to lead by double scores seven minutes from the break.
Then the always-threatening Conor Whelan was fouled by Paddy Deegan and Canning stepped forward to blast the penalty low into the left corner.
Cathal Mannion followed that up with his second point to lead by 1-09 to 0-04 approching the break.
Galway manager satisfied with two wins from two and making the most of home comforts #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/WWsdLowYCL
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) May 27, 2018
But then Galway full-back Daithi Burke fouled Luke Scanlon after the James Stephens corner-forward soloed through and TJ Reid stepped forward to dispatch the penalty to the net.
Kilkenny pushed on and with Walter Walsh making an impact after moving out the field and he cut the gap to 1-09 to 1-05 at the break with an inspirational point before the break.
Galway, with their half-back line superb, took control after the restart and after David Burke extended their lead four minutes after the break, they pulled away with Canning landing points from all angles.
Kilkenny’s only response came from placed balls from Reid and while he landed six in the third quarter, it was a dismal return with the wind.
Remarkably, Kilkenny’s only score in the final quarter came when Walter Walsh blasted home a late goal but by then Galway were out of sight as they backed up their opening round win over Offaly with a clear statement that they are not going to easily surrender their crown.
Galway: James Skehill; Aidan Harte, Daithi Burke, Adrian Tuohy; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, John Hanbury; Johnny Coen, David Burke (0-01); Joseph Cooney, Joe Canning (1-12, 1-00 pen, 0-07f, 0-01 65), Cathal Mannion (0-02); Brian Concannon (0-01), Conor Cooney (0-04), Conor Whelan.
Subs: Jonathan Glynn for Concannon (51), Jason Flynn (0-01) for J Cooney (55), Niall Burke (0-01) for C Mannion (67), Sean Loftus for Canning (70), Paul Killeen for P Mannion (70).
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Enda Morrissey, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Conor Delaney, Cillian Buckley, Paul Murphy; Conor Fogarty, James Maher; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid (1-09, 1-00 pen, 0-08f, 0-01 ’65), Liam Blanchfield; John Donnelly, Walter Walsh (1-01), Luke Scanlon (0-01).
Subs: Colin Fennelly for Donnelly (half-time), Joey Holden for Morrissey (43), Richie Leahy for Keoghan (54), Bill Sheehan for Blanchfield (53),
Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary).
