Kilkenny registered their second win in the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A when they got the better of Galway, 4-16 to 1-12, in a high scoring, if somewhat untidy, game at Nowlan Park today.
Early on the winners looked like running away with the match despite playing into the fresh breeze. With goals from the flying John Hoyne (9th minute) and Henry Shefflin (14th minute) they streaked 2-5 to 0-3 clear after only 16 minutes.
However, Galway, who had centre-back Liam Hodgins yellow carded in the seventh minute, put the brakes on and six scores on the trot from the deadly accurate Ger Farragher dragged them right back into the equation.
A Kilkenny point from Henry Shefflin got the home side moving again, but two replies from Farragher and Kevin Broderick cut the difference to the minimum (2-6 to 0-11) six minutes off the break.
By the time the rest was reached, Kilkenny had steadied the ship somewhat again and led by 2-9 to 0-13.
There was a wild start to the second half. Within 30 seconds Kevin Broderick cut through the home defence before shooting a terrific goal that put Galway in front for the first time (1-13 to 2-9).
Another 30 seconds further on, Kilkenny netted through John Hoyne after he was put clean through by Martin Comerford. Hoyne was later yellow carded on the hour mark.
The hosts put five scores together to open out a 3-13 to 1-13 lead by the 45th minute. Galway were always chasing the game after that, but not even a pair of splendid two pointers from sideline cuts by Ger Farragher, who scored 15 points overall, could save them.
Galway were always chasing the game after that, but not even a pair of splendid two pointers from sideline cuts by Ger Farragher, who scored 15 points overall, could save them.
Scorers - Kilkenny: H Shefflin 1-7 (7f), J Hoyne 2-3, E Brennan 1-2, M Kavanagh, M Comerford, W O'Dwyer, R Power 0-1 each. Galway: G. Farragher 0-15 (7f, 1 '65', 2 two-pointer sidedline cuts), K. Broderick 1-2, O Canning, D Forde, K Hayes, N. Healy 0-1 each.
Kilkenny: J McGarry (cpt); J Tennyson, N Hickey, J Ryall; M Kavanagh, T Walsh, JJ Delaney; B Barry, D Lyng; J Fitzpatrick, M Comerford, W O'Dwyer; R Power, J Hoyne, H Shefflin. Subs: E Brennan for Fitzpatrick, J Maher for O'Dwyer, A Fogarty for Comerford (yellow).
Galway: L Donoghue (cpt); D Joyce, S Kavanagh, F Moore; T Og Regan, L Hodgins, D Collins; O Canning, D Hayes; A Smyth, D Forde, F Healy; D Hayes, G Farragher, K Broderick. Subs: D Hardiman for Hodgins (yellow) R Murray for Smyth, K Hayes for Healy, N Healy for D Hayes.
Referee - G. Harrington (Cork).
