Defending champions Kilkenny picked up their second win of their campaign but almost slipped up as Galway ran them close.
Supporters leaving Nowlan Park yesterday must have wondered how Kilkenny let a half-time advantage of nine points (2-11 to 0-8) slip and allow Galway to get within a goal.
Kilkenny were the better team, but almost allowed the Tribesmen to snatch a draw after they were outscored 1-4 to 0-1 in the last 10 minutes.
“There wasn’t much in it in the finish,” said Galway manager Anthony Cunningham. “We were happy with our battle in the last 20 minutes, but we need to do that for 70 minutes.”
Kilkenny lined out without Henry Shefflin, Michael Fennelly, Michael Rice, JJ Delaney, Brian Hogan and Colin Fennelly, but still hit the ground running after Mark Kelly rattled the net with little over 60 seconds on the clock.
With Richie Hogan and Geoff Brennan (0-3) to the fore, they showed Galway no mercy as they raced into a 1-6 to 0-2 lead by the end of the first quarter.
A flustered Galway had plenty of chances to force their way into the game, but three goal opportunities went abegging. Davy Glennon (two) and Conor Cooney should have raised green flags but couldn’t capitalise on those chances.
Cooney and Gearoid McInerney did manage to tack on some points, but their cause looked to be done for when the Cats struck for a second goal in the dying stages of the half. A sparkling one-two between Richie Hogan and Jonjo Farrell cut the Connacht defence open, Hogan taking the return pass and firing it high into the top left corner of Callanan’s net.
Kilkenny continued in cruise control after the turn and looked comfortable when leading 2-14 to 0-11 after 52 minutes. Walter Walsh also had a chance to rattle the net with five minutes to play but Callanan made a fine save.
Lion's share
It wasn't all one way-traffic – Cooney rifled a penalty to the net in the 58th minute after McInerney was fouled in the square – but it was Kilkenny who had the lion's share of goal chances.
Galway paid heed to those let-offs and began to up the tempo in the closing stages. Boosted by Cooney’s penalty goal they outscored their hosts in the closing stages, but a draw was beyond their reach.
“Galway pushed hard at the finish, but I never felt we would lose,” said Kilkenny boss Brian Cody.
