Joey Murray's opportunism, which yielded two second-half goals, and a dazzling double save by goalkeeper Jamie Power just after the restart saw Kilkenny through in yesterday's All-Ireland minor hurling semifinal at Croke Park.
The Leinster champions had taken the risk of playing against the wind in the first half, giving Galway goalkeeper Ciaran Callanan a 30yard advantage in his puck outs.
The westerners were seven points up at half-time, boosted by a great Keith Daniels goal in the 20th minute. Kilkenny trainer Bobby Jackman reportedly told his charges at half-time: "The wind never won any game, ye must go out and hurl for victory."
His side, assisted by an inspirational switch which saw wing back Colin Herity move to midfield, whittled down the deficit with composure and skill.
Galway got the chance to almost certainly put the issue beyond Kilkenny's reach minutes after the restart when Dave Donoghue and Cathal Coen failed, in quick succession, to beat Power from close range. The industrious Keith Hayes provided the opportunity with a good ball into the Kilkenny goal area, but somehow Power, a son of former Kilkenny great Richie, managed to keep the ball out.
Jackman later said he regarded this double save as the game's turning point.
Then it was Murray's turn to take centre stage. Five minutes into the second half the corner forward snatched a high lob just outside the square, turned and smacked in a great goal. Seven minutes later he cut the deficit to a single point, this time taking up a good position to the left of the Galway posts to collect a Kevin Power free before rattling the net.
The Kilkenny goalkeeper's brilliance seemed to have a demoralising effect on Galway. Their scoring rate slumped alarmingly for fully 21 minutes before Daniels improved on their first-half tally with a point nine minutes from time.
Michael Rafter gave Kilkenny the lead for the first time 17 minutes into the second half and Brian Phelan stretched the advantage with a rapid follow-up point. A nip and tuck session developed, and the sides were level on two occasions inside the final eight minutes.
In a rip-roaring finish Kilkenny scored two points, through Kevin Power and Brian Phelan, to Galway's one, by Gavin Keary. Kilkenny now meet Cork in the final. Either side can take the lead on the All-Ireland honours list by winning a 17th title.
KILKENNY: J Power; P Griffin, N Hickey, C Hickey; C Herity, J Morgan, J Ryall; K Moore, J Coogan (0-1); P Sheehan, B Phelan (0-2), K Power (0-3, one free); G Cleere (0-1), M Rafter (0-2, one free), J Murray (2-1). Subs: E Walsh for Cleere, 36 mins; D Walsh for Sheehan, 58 mins.
GALWAY: C Callanan; D Hardiman, M Cloonan, R Reilly; S Donoghue, C Dervan, J Culkin; D Joyce, K Brady (0-1); G Keary (0-4, line ball and free), H Whiriskey (0-1), D Donoghue (0-1); C Coen (0-2), K Hayes (0-1), K Daniels (1-2). Subs: J Hession for Brady, 49 mins; D Donoghue (Athenry) for Coen, 55 mins.
Referee: G Devlin (Armagh).
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