Leinster SHC final: Galway 4-29 Dublin 4-15 FT Croke Park
Other fixtures and results
Joe McDonagh Cup final: Laois 1-27 Carlow 1-18 FT, Croke Park
Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final: Fermanagh 3-27 New York 1-13 FT Brewster Park
Tailteann Cup Round 3: London 0-16 Sligo 2-16, McGovern Park FT; Leitrim 1-12 Wexford 0-20, Heartland Credit Union Páirc Seán MacDiarmada FT; Wicklow 1-17 Tipperary 0-12 FT Echelon Park; Longford 1-15 Down 4-18 FT, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park
Last word to Galway manager Micheál Donoghue, who was also in charge when the county last won the Leinster hurling title in 2018. It wasn’t the complete performance by any means, but after scoring 4-29, they’ll have a big say in matters from here on.
Galway had lost four Leinster hurling finals since winning their last one. That joy reflected in the winning speech by captain Darren Morrissey.
The winning-losing balance. As well as winning back the Leinster title, Galway can now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final date in four weeks’ time. Dublin meanwhile face into a tough All-Ireland quarter-final against Clare.
An emotional Tom Monaghan from Galway reflects on his man-of-the-match award, highly deserving too.
Sean Moran has his final verdict from Croke Park -
Galway are Leinster champions for the fourth time. They cruised to victory in Croke Park on Saturday evening, building comfortable leads and easily shrugging of Dublin’s increasingly frantic attempts to get back into the match.
By the end, it was like seven-a-side hurling, as Dublin tried to engineer pot shots into the Hill and Galway generally turned over possession and either picked off points or exploited the acres of space to set up goal chances.
In the last two minutes of injury-time, there were three goals, two for Dublin but at no stage was the verdict in doubt. The only darkening of the winners’ horizon was the loss of Rory Burke as early as the 13th minute of his comeback from injury. Darren Morrissey hoisted the O’Keeffe Cup for Galway’s first win since 2018.
A clearly delighted Galway captain Darren Morrissey has just lifted the Bob O’Keefe Cup, their first provincial hurling title since 2018. Certainly a lively game - eight goals, two penalties, two black cards – but Galway always looked to be in control despite Dublin’s brief threat of a comeback towards half-time. Their range of scorers was something Dublin couldn’t match, not when Dublin also afforded them far too much space.
FULL-TIME: Galway 4-29 Dublin 4-15: Conal Ó Riain gets an injury time goal for Dublin, but in the end a thoroughly dominant win for Galway, who get another goal of their own late on thanks to John Fleming, before Whitely hits the net one last time. Little consolation for Dublin however.
Galway 3-28 Dublin 2-15: Tom Monaghan adds another score for Galway, his sixth from play, just as the clock spills into the five minutes of added time. Monaghan then adds another!
GOAL! Galway 3-26 Dublin 2-15: Conor Cooney stands his ground in front of goal to fire home Galway’s third goal after 68 minutes. Game over.
PENALTY! Galway 2-26 Dublin 2-15: Darragh Neary making it look ever more safe for Galway after 63 minutes with another close-range point, and Dublin will need to work some magic soon. Instead, Conor Cooney draws the penalty on 64 minutes, with a black card for Andrew Dunphy. Niland takes the penalty and makes no mistake.
Galway 1-25 Dublin 2-15: Into the last 10 minutes and Niland gives Galway a little more breathing space with another free. Dublin will need another goal for sure.
Galway 1-24 Dublin 2-15. Niland converts another free after Conor McHugh is lucky to stay on the field, given a yellow card for a high tackle on Joshua Ryan. Sean Currie gets another one back for Dublin after 59 minutes.
PENALTY! Galway 1-23 Dublin 2-14: Tiernan Killeen gets in on the scoring act for Galway, a neat effort from midfield, as Dublin appear to be drifting off the pace of the game. But after 54 minutes, Eoghan O’Donnell is dragged down in front of the goal, referee Michael Kennedy calling a penalty, and a black card for Conor Whelan. Donal Burke converts the penalty with great composure.
Galway 1-22 Dublin 1-14: Dublin’s injury problems also continue, Liam Rushe unable to play on after 48 minutes, before Donal Burke converts another free with 20 minutes to go. Down the other end, Conor Cooney hits one back for Dublin.
Galway 1-21 Dublin 1-13: Monaghan adds his fifth from play on 46 minutes, Ronan Glennon then hits his second, moments after returning to play. It’s shifting back in Galway’s favour now, Niland adding another with ease after 47 minutes.
Galway 1-18 Dublin 1-13: Ronan Hayes misses a close-range goal chance for Dublin on 42 minutes, the score that could have brought them right back in it. Galway then fire another wide, the game getting a bit too loose and scrappy now. Mannion hits another long-range wide for Galway on 44 minutes, before Ronan Hayes finally gets one over the bar for Dublin. Back to a five-point game.
Galway 1-18 Dublin 1-12: Still too many gaping holes in the Dublin defence, but Whitely manages to find some room of his own to fire over Dublin’s first point of the second half on 39 minutes. Mannion then sends over a sweet sideline for Galway.
Galway 1-17 Dublin 1-11: Back underway for the second half in Croke Park, and Conor Whelan left wide open again to add his fourth from play. Tom Monaghan then adds a second of the half moments later.
Sean Moran’s half-time update from Croke Park -
Galway go in at half-time with a four-point lead over Dublin at Croke Park. The westerners were on top for long periods and have looked sharper and slicker than their opponents but a great goal by Conal Ó Riain in the 24th minute brought the match back to life, finishing an unanswered sequence of 1-3 to leave a point between the sides, 1-9 to 1-8.
Galway rallied well to reassert themselves and deserved their interval lead. There was anxiety for manager Micheál Donoghue when Rory Burke, just back in action after a hamstring injury, had to leave the field in the 13th minute.He had just played a major role in his team’s goal after Conor Whelan dispossessed Paddy Smyth and flicked the ball over the defence, leaving Burke and Darragh Neary to run through with the vault’s doors wide open. Burke flicked to Neary and he scored.Galway’s shooting was a little loose and they had seven wides.
Dublin were also careless in possession but managed to get momentum from a couple of Brian Hayes runs, which penetrated the defence and set up two points for Conor Burke.Dublin will have to tighten up in the second half if they are to leave as champions.
That Conal Ó Riain goal is well worth seeing again, brought Dublin right back in it.
Galway 1-15 Dublin 1-11: Dublin get another one back thanks to Conor Donoghue on 33 minutes, before Brian Hayes makes a charging run at goal, which unfortunately for him comes to nothing. Up the other end, Mannion sets up Ronan Glennon for a point, and Mannion then gets another just before the break. Dublin’s last shot by Ronan Hayes goes just wide, making it a four-point game at half-time. Advantage Galway.
Galway 1-13 Dublin 1-9: Galway have briefly regained their momentum, Niland scoring again from the placed ball after 30 minutes. Whitely and Monaghan then exchange points, and it’s still complete end to end.
Galway 1-11 Dublin 1-8: Another frantic flurry of scores, Monaghan firing one over for Galway on 26 minutes, before Rabbitte wins another free, neatly converted by Niland. Ronan Hayes also comes in for Dublin, replacing Darragh Power, looking to add a bit more firepower it seems.
GOAL: Galway 1-9 Dublin 1-8: Conal Ó Riain strikes from close range for Dublin after 24 minutes, making it 1-3 without reply, and it’s back to a one-point game. A brilliant response for Dublin after a shaky start.
Galway 1-9 Dublin 0-8: Galway’s high work rate still causing Dublin problems, but Brian Hayes finally gets some space to set up Conor Burke. Another free by Donal Burke after 23 minutes and Dublin are creeping back into it.
Galway 1-9 Dublin 0-6: Conor Whelan hits another for Galway after 19 minutes, again given far too much space by the Dublin defence. Dublin get one back thanks to a tap over free by Donal Burke. Still, it’s a double score game after 20 minutes.
Galway 1-8 Dublin 0-5: A massive save from Galway keeper Darach Fahy after Hetherton breaks through to fire at goal from close range on 15 minutes. A let off for Galway, with Brendan Kenny scoring from a tight angle after. Niland strikes one back for Galway, before Conal Ó Riain hits his first for Dublin. Dublin are settling a little after the frantic opening 15 minutes.
GOAL! Galway 1-7 Dublin 0-3: The early Galway intensity continues, Rory Burke setting up Darragh Neary from close range after 12 minutes. Dublin in a bit of bother already.
Galway 0-7 Dublin 0-3: Another free by Niland puts Galway three up after eight minutes, just after Conor Burke got one back for Dublin. Cathal Mannion and then Fergal Whitely exchange scores, before Rabbitte hits another point to continue Galway’s early dominance.
Galway 0-4 Dublin 0-1: Galway are winning the early battles for the breaking ball, Tom Monaghan adding their third point in the fourth minute. Aaron Niland then converts a close-range free after Jason Rabbitte is fouled.
Galway 0-2 Dublin 0-1: Rory Burke taps over Galway’s second score, but Dublin reply immediately through John Hetherton after two minutes. Donal Burke then follows up with the first wide of the game for Dublin.
Galway 0-1 Dublin 0-0: A rapid start in Croke Park and Galway get their first score after just five seconds, neatly finished from long range by full forward Conor Whelan.
Sean Moran sets the scene just before throw-in -
An overcast and cold Croke Park is an unseasonal staging for the Leinster final, only the second between Dublin and Galway. In 2013, Dublin beat the then champions Galway for a first title in 52 years.
Team news brings changes to both teams. Again, Eoghan O’Donnell misses out although named on the team and again is replaced by Conor McHugh. The other switch brings in Brendan Kenny for injured All Star Cian O’Sullivan.
Galway are able to start Rory Burke after injury kept him out for the past couple of matches. Man of the Match in the big opening win over Kilkenny, he is fit to return and starts with Gavin Lee dropping out.
A provincial title would be a welcome mark of progress for both teams. Throw-in is at 6.0.
Two late changes on the Dublin team, with Conor McHugh and Brendan Kenny come into the starting team, replacing Eoghan O’Donnell and Cian O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan is a major loss for Dublin. Among the substitutes, Dara Purcell will now wear number 13. There is also one late change in the Galway team, with Rory Burke replacing Gavin Lee in the half back line.
It hasn’t been a great week for Kilkenny hurling, who lost their manager Derek Lyng on Tuesday evening, who decided against another year in charge after the county made their exit from the Leinster championship. It does mean the Leinster hurling championship will break new ground, as Kilkenny would have been attempting a seven-in-a-row. Instead, it could be just a fourth title for Galway, or only Dublin’s second in 64 years.
What a way to finish the game... Laois end two years of heartbreak in the Joe McDonagh Cup with a magnificent win in Croke Park
Laois 1-27 Carlow 1-18: It’s all over in the Joe McDonagh Cup final, and absolute delight for Laois, who battled back in the second half, clearly motivated by the loss of the last two finals in succession. Despite conceding 1-1 in the opening minute, Laois played some fantastic hurling, full forward Cillian Dunne finishing with 1-6. It also means Laois will be playing in the Leinster hurling championship next year. A huge day for Laois hurling.
Our hurling analyst Nicky English has some insights on both the Leinster hurling final, and tomorrow’s Munster hurling final showdown between Cork and Limerick.
Here’s Sean Moran’s match prediction -
The two finalists have built their campaign on notable victories over former champions Kilkenny, whose trouncing by Galway was the most impressive display of the round-robin but Dublin’s win was both rarer and more mentally challenging.
They don’t have anything like the same hang-ups in respect of Galway and beat them in the Leinster final 13 years ago. Since the latter’s arrival in the eastern province, Dublin have won the balance of fixtures.
Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s team have also improved, tightening up at the back from the four goals conceded against Offaly on day one to conceding just one in the four matches since and scoring fluently.
Liam Rushe has improved the defence after his unexpected return to arms even if he missed the climactic Kilkenny round. Eoghan O’Donnell is named but a doubt hovers over his fitness. He too missed the Kilkenny match but Paddy Smyth led a formidable defensive display.
In attack, Dónal Burke has been getting back to his best after more than a year battling injury and there is further good news with the naming of his Na Fianna clubmate Seán Currie on the bench after a long lay-off.
If Dublin are getting better, finishing with two wins against last year’s provincial finalists, Galway have been in recession since the Kilkenny high point on opening weekend.
Injuries have played a part and Micheál Donoghue must be happy to get back the young hurlers who have transformed the team so far: Rory Burke and Aaron Niland are listed, having played a big role in the championship to date – as well as Cathal Mannion, who sat out the Wexford win.
The round-robin match in Salthill was notable for the effectiveness of Dublin’s route one attack in the hands of John Hetherton and Ronan Hayes, who were sprung from the bench. The former is listed as starting, as he did against Kilkenny, and showed great touches in swooping for early points.
The problem is that in Galway, the home team shot a barrage of needless wides when they had the wind. If they can create those chances this weekend, it’s unlikely they will squander as many.
The good surface suits both teams. Brian Hayes’s pace has been revelatory for Dublin whereas Galway look like a team that could be unleashed in Croke Park. Momentum and form suggest otherwise. Verdict: Dublin
Hello, and welcome to The Irish Times live GAA blog featuring the headline game of the afternoon – the Leinster hurling final in Croke Park between Dublin and Galway. Throw-in at Croke Park is at 6.0pm. Carlow also play Laois in the curtain-raiser that is the Joe McDonagh Cup final. The prize there is a place in the Leinster hurling championship next year. There is also Tailteann Cup football around the country.
Here’s how the two teams were selected earlier this week
Dublin: Eddie Gibbons; Paddy Doyle, Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell; Chris Crummey, Liam Rushe, Conor Burke; Brian Hayes, Conor Donohoe; Fergal Whitely, Dónal Burke, Darragh Power, Cian O’Sullivan, John Hetherton, Conal Ó Riain.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Ronan Glennon, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey, Pádraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Gavin Lee, Tiernan Killeen, Cian Daniels, Thomas Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte, Conor Whelan, Aaron Niland.
