Galway recover after early scare against Kildare

LEINSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-ROBIN

Galway 4-22

Kildare 1-22

At St. Conleth's Park

THEY trailed underdogs Kildare by a dozen points, but Galway eventually shrugged off a listless opening half hour to subdue the Joe McDonagh Cup holders and make it three wins from three in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.

The Lilywhites were full value for a scarcely believable 1-13 to 0-4 lead by the 26th minute. A Rory Burke goal on the half hour mark kick-started Galway's revival and was followed by three more after the break from Tom Monaghan, Cian Daniels and man of the match Conor Whelan in turning the tide.

An unexpected opening half unfolded in Newbridge as the Lilywhites dominated and scored almost at will while aided by a significant wind. Galway were sloppy in possession and totally outplayed by the sharper and more tuned-in hosts.

Muiris Curtin cracked home Kildare's fifth minute goal and finished the half with 1-3. Full-back Rian Boran epitomised everything the Leinster side were about and picked off two inspirational points from range. Gerry Keegan and free-taker Jack Sheridan were also prominent in the scoring stakes.

John Fleming and two points apiece from Cathal Mannion and Whelan accounted for Galway's sub-standard return until Whelan took a Tiernan Killeen delivery and set up Rory Burke to bury their match-turning opening goal.

Trailing 1-15 to 1-5 at the break, Galway brought greater energy to the second period and reeled in Kildare by the three-quarter mark. Killeen and sub Tom Monaghan tallied more than once, while Monaghan and Daniels finished goals two and three as Micheál Donoghue's side drew level at 3-11 to 1-17 on 51 minutes.

Whelan's goal on the hour mark finally created scoreboard separation and with Monaghan, who ended with 1-4, and fellow subs Oisin Lohan and Darragh Neary topping up their tallies late on, Galway closed out victory and switched their sights to the visit of Dublin next Saturday.

GALWAY: D. Fahy; J. Ryan, C. Trayers, D. Morrissey (captain); P. Mannion, D. Burke, G. Lee; C. Daniels (1-0), T. Killeen (0-2); C. Cooney (0-1), C. Mannion (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), J. Fleming (0-1); R. Burke (1-3), C. Whelan (1-3), C. Molloy. Subs: R. Glennon, for Ryan, half-time; T. Monaghan (1-4), for Molloy, half-time; D. Neary (0-1), for Cooney inj, 50 mins; C. Fahy, for Fleming, 57 mins; O. Lohan (0-2), for Killeen, 65 mins.

KILDARE: P. McKenna; L. O'Reilly, R. Boran (captain, 0-2), R. Hogan; P. Dolan (0-1), C. Boran, S. Leacy (0-1); C. McCabe (0-1), D. O'Meara; J. Travers, D. Guerin (0-1), G. Keegan (0-4); D. Melville, M. Curtin (1-3), J. Sheridan (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-2 65s). Subs: C. Dowling (0-1), for Dolan, 46 mins; T. Ryan, for Melville, 59 mins; C. Smith, for Travers, 60 mins; E. Ó Briain, for O'Reilly, 65 mins; S. Whelan, for Leacy, 70+2 mins.

REFEREE: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath)

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH: Conor Whelan (Galway).