GAA Round-up:All-Ireland champions Kilkenny had to dig deep as they came from behind to defeat Galway 2-20 to 3-13 in this evening's absorbing Leinster SHC semi-final at O'Connor Park in Tullamore.
Galway’s talisman Joe Canning scored the first point of the day and would go on to record an impressive 2-09 personal tally, but even his individual heroics couldn’t deny the Cats, who killed off the game with a number of fine scores late in the game.
Galway may have had Canning but Kilkenny manager Brian Cody was able to call on a number of players to find the scores, not least Henry Shefflin, who enjoyed a 0-10 personal tally.
Canning was instrumental as Galway took the early lead against the All-Ireland champions, who appeared uncharacteristically nervous and ill at ease.
The scoreboard was ticking over with Canning stroking over a couple of points. However, he upped the ante with a fine individual goal when losing his man before finding time and space to fire past PJ Ryan in the Kilkenny goal.
At 1-03 to 0-01 it was the perfect start for the underdogs who at this stage would have believed an upset was on the cards.
Shefflin did his best to steady Kilkenny nerves with several well taken frees but the All-Ireland champions were still far from their free-flowing best.
Shefflin almost played a crucial part in Kilkenny’s first chance of goal with a perfect pass to Martin Comerford but his effort went wide of the post.
That said further points came from Aidan Fogarty and Shefflin but Canning ensured Galway maintained their lead.
Then, just when it was least expected, the masters of their craft kicked into life and within the space of a minute had found the Galway net not once but twice.
In many ways it was a cruel blow yet wonderful to see Kilkenny moves through the gears as Richie Power and Eddie Brennan both provided the end products.
Power punished Galway for their indecision in defence and found the net from close range almost on the half hour mark. Power then supplied Brennan for the second goal.
That gave Kilkenny a 2-07 to 1-08 lead a the break. However, when Niall Healy was fouled up stepped Canning who fired a 20-metre free into the Kilkenny net just after the restart.
Five minutes later Galway had the ball in the net again and opened up a five point lead when Healy scooped home from a Damien Hayes assist.
With Kilkenny seemingly staring at defeat it was up to Shefflin and Fogarty to steady the ship and restore order. Eoin Larkin also pointed from long range and eventually the sides were level with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Larkin then edged the Cats in front as Galway appeared to have run out of steam and ideas. They were reduced to 14-men when substitute Richie Murray received a straight red card
Meanwhile Larkin kept scoring and in the end Kilkenny’s class shone through, but it was far from an easy afternoon in front of 15,150 spectators in Tullamore.
Earlier Roscommon suffered the most humiliating of defeats at McHale Park as Mayo strolled into the Connacht final with a 3-18 to 0-7 victory. Good and all as Mayo were, their opponents were truly awful and will head into the qualifiers completely demoralised.
Roscommon managed just one score in the entire first half, Conor Devaney finally slotting over a close range free in the 26th minute.
By that stage Mayo were already home and hosed. With 3-8 already posted on the scoreboard –the goals coming from Aidan Kilcoyne, Aidan O’Shea and Pat Harte – Mayo were never going to be challenged in the slightest.
The one-way traffic subsided slightly after the break as Roscommon, helped by a strong breeze at their back, added to their meagre tally.
Mayo, however, kept the scoreboard ticking over and few could blame them for easing up with the game already well won.
Quite where this non-event leaves John O’Mahony’s side heading into the provincial decider remains to be seen but they certainly won’t have it anywhere near as easy against either Galway or Sligo.
Today’s other action saw Waterford defeat Limerick 0-17 to 0-25 in the Munster SHC semi-final replay at Semple Stadium.
Today’s results
Connacht SFC Semi-Final
Mayo 3-18 Roscommon 0-7
Munster SHC Semi-Final Replay
Limerick 0-17 Waterford 0-25
Leinster SHC Semi-Final
Kilkenny 2-20 Galway 3-13