GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 34 – September 19, 2015 | Page 27

FIRST HALF - GALWAY
Kilkenny looked dangerous in attack in the early going but
it was Galway showing well from pointed frees who led by
0-4 to 0-3 after 10 minutes. Shortly after, following good
build-up play from Kilkenny’s Walter Walsh, TJ Reid got
the only goal of the game – nice finish low into the corner
of the Galway net. The Tribesmen from the west respond
well however, as they had done in the semi-final, and had
things level once more by the 17th minute. From there to
the end of the half, Galway upped their performance and
helped with excellent long range frees from Flynn, began to
get on top. They hassled and harried Kilkenny – Kilkennylike – but still only led by three at the break. Just before half
time Galway’s Johnny Coen brought down Colin Fennelly
when racing threw on goal. The tackle was high and dangerous immediately halting the forward but instead of handing
Coen red, ref James Owens gave a yellow card much to the
anger of the Kilkenny fans. It looked a red card all day but
as to why he issued yellow remains a question-mark.
The Cats looked off pace in the latter part and would be
looking for improvement for the remainder if they were to
retain their crown. Galway needed to keep their intensity
going if they were to win.
SECOND HALF - KILKENNY
As Kilkenny do so often in the first 10 minutes of the new
half, they reeled in the deficit to tie the game and then over
the next 10 minute block went into a four point lead. Kilkenny’s work rate had improved and with their half backline dominating with help from midfield and half forwards
playing deep, they began to look the more likely to see
things through. Galway had plenty of chances to score but
unlike the first half and with less time and space on the ball,
their forwards were tending to now hit wides. Joe Canning
missed an important opportunity to narrow the gap when
he missed a free; he seemed to rush it when he should have
had the opposite mentality. Six minutes from time, the Cats

had pulled 7 points clear – white flags from midfielder’s, half
backs and forwards. Galway’s young Conor Whelan, did have
a goal chance but shot poorly and wide of the post. Galway
needed a goal desperately but it wasn’t coming from open play
and Canning’s late goal from a free really only served to put a
gloss on the final result.
FOCUS WHEN IT MATTERED
Kilkenny ground out victory in that second period keeping
focus and increased their intensity and scoring l