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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Kilkenny make it six Leinster titles on the trot as Galway revival falls short
Leinster SHC Final: Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 1-20 From the seemingly routine to the suddenly desperate, Kilkenny wrapped up their sixth successive Leinster hurling title in Croke Park on Sunday, and 77th in all, with a brief sigh of relief. Then perhaps a satisfied smile. After playing with typical Kilkenny heart and common sense, they either blinked or simply backed off, allowing Galway to come from 13 points down in the 58th minute, to twice make it a four-point game – including right at the end of normal time. Then in the three minutes of added time that followed, Kilkenny hit another 1-1 without reply, including a second goal gifted to Martin Keoghan, one which replacement Galway goalkeeper Darragh Walsh will wish to forget. And that was that. It all made for a heart-quaking last 10 minutes for Galway and their supporters, who were left wondering what might have been if only they'd come alive a lot earlier. On a grey afternoon at GAA headquarters, they failed to produce a single shot at the Kilkenny goal in the first half, also going for long passages where they appeared to forget how to score from play at all. READ MORE When Paddy Deegan's long-range point put Kilkenny 13 points up in the 58th minute, 2-19 to 0-12, some of those among the crowd of 37,503 were eying up the exits. Then it all changed dramatically when Galway hit 1-6 within the next eight minutes, starting with a point from play by midfielder Seán Linnane. The excellent Cathal Mannion added another, and replacement Tiernan Killeen promptly chipped in with two more. Up to that point, Galway had been unable to get a clear shot at the Kilkenny goal. In the 63rd minute, Mannion sent a free short to Brian Conconnon, who tore into the Kilkenny defence, and shot cleanly into the top right corner. Two more scores, one from Kevin Cooney and a Mannion free, slimmed the gap to four, and suddenly anything seemed possible. Two more points were exchanged – Kilkenny's Billy Ryan scoring after a brilliant fetch from the majestic Huw Lawlor, then another from Cooney – before the black-and-amber wave came again, pulling up the drawbridge for good. Luke Hogan's long-range shot from under the Hogan Stand fell short, only Walsh completely misread the trajectory of the ball in the Galway goal. It dropped over his head and into the path of Keoghan, who nonetheless pounced with beautiful timing. Galway goalkeeper Darragh Walsh drops the ball ahead of Martin Keoghan scoring a goal for Kilkenny during the Leinster final at Croke Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho It was rough luck on Walsh, the Turloughmore goalkeeper called into the action at half-time and his first championship game for Galway after Éanna Murphy was forced to retire with a suspected concussion. That resulted from an accidental collision with Keoghan after he scored Kilkenny's first goal, two minutes before half-time. Mullen then had the last say, bringing his tally to 0-3 for the afternoon, one of the 10 different Kilkenny scorers. Not long after referee Johnny Murphy blew for time as Galway manager Micheál Donoghue made his way over the Walsh, still grounded in some state of disbelief. A word or two of consolation later and Walsh was back on his feet. Still Kilkenny's eight-point winning margin in no way flattered. Galway were out of contention for long stretches, especially for the 36 minutes or so in the middle period of the game when they couldn't produce a single score from play. In the meantime, the 37-year-old TJ Reid started to show once again his genius for making time and space into dimensions that suit his needs. In the 32nd minute, he caught his first clean ball in front of goal, only to be called for over-carrying A minute later, Reid took a pass from John Donnelly, on the 20m line, rocketing a shot into the lower left corner that was brilliantly saved by Éanna Murphy. But Martin Keoghan pounced for the rebound, a split-second before Murphy could clear on the second attempt. Murphy also took a knee to the head for his efforts, which forced his half-time retirement. At that stage Kilkenny were up 1-9 to 0-8, their four-point advantage defined by Keoghan's goal. In the 56th minute, Keoghan's pass to Reid was deftly finished low into the Galway net, and that defined Kilkenny's overall superiority. Reid finished with 1-4, and his 14th Leinster title. Kilkenny, with the slight breeze, scored first through Mullen after two minutes, before Galway scored the next three – Cooney, a Mannion free, and TJ Brennan giving them an early advantage. By the 15th minute, there were 10 scores, five each, from 10 different players. They were level six times in the mostly subdued first half, the sparsity of goal chances from both teams certainly surprising, as if they was some sudden allergy to direct ball. Kilkenny's TJ Reid celebrates scoring a goal. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho Galway's shortcomings were ultimately collective. Conor Whelan started well, but was less effective in the second half, and David Burke ultimately struggled around midfield. Without Mannion's consistency it might have been a lot worse. He finished with 0-11, including four from play. These slim scoring pickings by Galway for the first hour were also down to the sheer dominance of Lawlor at full back, and Richie Reid at centre back. Cian Kenny also had an excellent game at midfield alongside Jordan Molloy; they finished with 0-4 between them. Galway also shot 10 wides, including six in the first half, at which point Cooney was the only player among their full-forward line to score from play. Mannion's free at the start of the second half briefly reduced the margin to three again, before Kilkenny promptly hit three without reply, including a brilliant point from Billy Ryan. Had Galway somehow managed to stay closer, it might have made for a different outcome. Kilkenny, however, are deserving champions once again. KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; M Carey (0-2), R Reid, P Deegan (0-1); C Kenny (0-2), J Molloy (0-1), J Donnelly (0-1), A Mullen (0-4), B Ryan (0-3), S Donnelly (0-2), TJ Reid (1-4, four frees), M Keoghan (2-2). Subs: D Blanchfield for Walsh, L Hogan for Donnelly (both 58 mins); S Murphy for Butler (66); K Doyle for Molloy (70); H Shine for Ryan (71). GALWAY: É Murphy; P Mannion, Daithí Burke, F Burke; C Fahy, G Lee, TJ Brennan (0-1); S Linnane (0-1), David Burke; J Fleming (0-1), C Mannion (0-11, 7f), T Monaghan (0-1); C Whelan, B Concannon (1-0), K Cooney (0-3). Subs: D Morrissey for F Burke (37 mins, inj); D Walsh for Murphy (half-time), R Glennon for David Burke (43); T Killeen (0-2) for Fleming (53); A Burns for Monaghan (66). Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'For spells, they were the better team,' says Derek Lyng as Kilkenny overcome Antrim
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, Round Two: Antrim 2-12 Kilkenny 2-30 THE 18-point margin of victory perhaps masks how Kilkenny were tested at Corrigan Park on Sunday, but when push came to shove, Derek Lyng's men grabbed control and stormed home in the second period. Despite starting well, Kilkenny trailed at the break and it was only when Martin Keoghan punished an error in the 51st minute to slam home his team's first goal was when Antrim's resistance was finally broken as they out-scored the hosts by 2-13 to 0-1 from the 48th minute. Eoin Cody top-scored for the Cats as he finished with 1-13 as his free-taking and ability to lead the charge from play helped get his side right on top, while Martin Keoghan's goal in the 51st minute proved a big score as it was a blow Antrim didn't recover from. "For spells of the game, they were the better team," Lyng said of the hosts. "We got back into it in the second half and found our groove a little bit more and that was the most important thing. We got the result we needed and we move on to the next game. "They caused us problems in the first half. We were getting the ball but we're just doing the basics well. Antrim were that bit sharper at that stage. "We got a good lead at the start and just sat back. Antrim were the better team for the next 20 minutes and that's something we will be working on for the next couple of weeks as it won't be good enough as we go along. It's back to training now this week and heads down again. "It's always a challenge coming up here and Antrim are strong at home. It's not to take anything away from them, but we upped the ante in the second half and it was more like it with our work-rate much better. "Our first half performance was not the standard we are looking for but we upped that work-rate in the second half, got the scores on the board and came away with the win." Kilkenny flew out of the traps and were 0-8 to 0-1 ahead after 11 minutes before Antrim settled to rattle off four of their own and got level as good work from Conor Johnston saw him put James McNaughton in for a goal. The Loughgiel man almost had a second three minutes later, only to be denied by the post, but three Eoin Cody scores seemed to settle Kilkenny once again. Two was the margin when Antrim got a second goal in the 33rd minute as Keelan Molloy did well to whip home under pressure and the Saffrons took a 2-8 to 0-13 lead into the break. Kilkenny upped the pace in the second period with Cody frees and a score from Harry Shine putting them two up, only for McNaughton to point a free and Nigel Elliott seeing a rasping drive tipped ovre by Eoin Murphy. But Kilkenny completely took over after with Billy Ryan and Cian Kenny landing to ensure the starting front eight were on the board and from the restart in the 51st minute, Martin Keoghan overturned Paddy Burke and galloped through for the goal, which put his side 1-21 to 2-11 ahead. That was the game-breaker as Antrim's resistance was broken as Kilkenny ultimately went 1-12 without reply as Mikey Butler and Tommy Walsh added their names to the board. McNaughton finally ended a barren 25 minutes for Antrim in added time, but Kilkenny finished with a flourish as Billy Drennan pointed and with the last act of the game, Eoin Cody went for and got the goal from a free to put the cap on a fine second-half display and victory for the Cats. "That wasn't an 18-point defeat," a disappointed Antrim boss, Davy Fitzgerald said. "We had six goal opportunities but that (margin) was the last 15 minutes, conceding most of that. For 45-48 minutes, we showed what we can do. "They got a seven-point lead (early) but from then on we were good, but after we made the mistake that led to their goal, we lost confidence and an issue we need to look at. They weren't even good goals. The first was a mistake and the second, we switched off. We gave them two (goals) and we have seven goal opportunities - that's the facts of the game. "When we penetrated through the middle, we looked good and as good as I've seen us for 45 minutes. Our tackling was good, shape was good, everything was good, but just when that (first) goal went in, the buzz went out of us." Scorers for Antrim: J McNaughton 1-9 (0-9f), K Molloy 1-1, C Bohill, N Elliott 0-1 each. Scorers for Kilkenny: E Cody 1-13 (1-9f), M Keoghan 1-2, S Donnelly 0-3, C Kenny, J Molloy 0-2 each, P Deegan, J Donnelly, F Mackessy (1f), H Shine, B Ryan, T Walsh, M Butler, B Drennan 0-1 each. ANTRIM: R Elliott; S Rooney, N O'Connor, P Burke; C Boyd, J Maskey, C Bohill; E Campbell, G Walsh; K Molloy, N Elliott, S Walsh; R McCambridge, J McNaughton, C Johnston. Subs: C McKeown for C Johnston (HT), S McKay for R McCambridge (52), J McLaughlin for S Walsh (55), E O'Neill for E Campbell (69), A McGarry for G Walsh (69). KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; M Carey, R Reid, P Deegan; C Kenny, J Molloy; F Mackessy, J Donnelly, B Ryan; S Donnelly, M Keoghan, E Cody. Subs: H Shine for F Mackessy (40), L Hogan for S Donnelly (64), B Drennan for J Donnelly (67), K Doyle for M Carey (67), E Lyng for C Kenny (70). Referee: S Hynes (Galway).
Irish Examiner
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Classy Cody bags 1-13 as Kilkenny turn up the heat in second half
Leinster SHC: Antrim 2-12 Kilkenny 2-30 A STORMING second half display saw Kilkenny take over against Antrim at Corrigan Park to make it two wins from two in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. Trailing by one, the Cats certainly had work to do in the second period and they delivered it, but it took until Martin Keoghan punished a mistake in the 51st minute to grab a goal when they finally began to pull away. From the 48th minute on, they outscored Antrim 2-13 to 0-1 on a day in which Eoin Cody shone, finishing with 1-13. His leadership was vital when his team was under the cosh. Kilkenny flew out of the traps and seemed intent in putting this game away early as Stephen Donnelly pointed seconds in and the scores flowed as Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Fionán Mackessy (free) and Paddy Deegan landed before James McNaughton got Antrim on the board from a free. The Cats were destroying the Antrim restarts with the hosts unable to get on the ball despite playing with the wind in the opening period. Three further scores from Kilkenny had them 0-8 to 0-1 up after 11 minutes with the threat of a rout on the cards. However, Antrim found their feet as after McNaughton landed a free, Keelan Molloy pointed out on the right, followed by a monster effort by Conall Bohill. Just three separated them when the Saffrons got their first goal when Conor Johnston did brilliantly to get on the ball in the left corner, play in McNaughton who cracked home from the angle to level. The Loughgiel man almost had a second goal three minutes later, only to be denied by the post, but three Eoin Cody scores seemed to settle Kilkenny once again. McNaughton and Cody traded scores but then Antrim got a second goal in the 34th minute as Keelan Molloy got onto a long delivery and under pressure, whipped home. The hosts took a 2-8 to 0-13 lead into the break. The free-takers continued to trade in the second period with Cody's three to McNaughton's one before substitute Harry Shine landed for the visitors who had clearly upped the ante. After McNaughton pulled one back, Nigel Elliott was through with the goal opening up but Eoin Murphy tipped the shot over as the sides were level. But Kilkenny completely took over after with Billy Ryan and Cian Kenny landing to ensure the starting front eight were on the board. From the restart in the 51st minute, Martin Keoghan overturned Paddy Burke and galloped through for the goal, which put his side 1-21 to 2-11 ahead. That was the game-breaker as Antrim's resistance was broken as Kilkenny ultimately went 1-12 without reply as Mikey Butler and Tommy Walsh added their names to the board. McNaughton finally ended a barren 25 minutes for Antrim in added time, but Kilkenny finished with a flourish as Billy Drennan pointed, And with the last act of the game, Eoin Cody went for and got the goal from a free to put the cap on a fine second-half display and victory for the Cats. Antrim scorers: J McNaughton 1-9 (0-9f), K Molloy 1-1, C Bohill 0-1, N Elliott 0-1 Kilkenny scorers: E Cody 1-13 (1-9f), M Keoghan 1-2, S Donnelly 0-3, C Kenny 0-2, J Molloy 0-2, P Deegan 0-1, J Donnelly 0-1, F Mackessy 0-1 (1f), H Shine 0-1, B Ryan 0-1, T Walsh 0-1, M Butler 0-1, B Drennan 0-1 ANTRIM: R Elliott; S Rooney, N O'Connor, P Burke; C Boyd, J Maskey, C Bohill; E Campbell, G Walsh; K Molloy, N Elliott, S Walsh; R McCambridge, J McNaughton, C Johnston. Subs: C McKeown for C Johnston (HT), S McKay for R McCambridge (52), J McLaughlin for S Walsh (55), E O'Neill for E Campbell (69), A McGarry for G Walsh (69). KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; M Carey, R Reid, P Deegan; C Kenny, J Molloy; F Mackessy, J Donnelly, B Ryan; S Donnelly, M Keoghan, E Cody. Subs: H Shine for F Mackessy (40), L Hogan for S Donnelly (64), B Drennan for J Donnelly (67), K Doyle for M Carey (67), E Lyng for C Kenny (70). REFEREE: S Hynes (Galway)
RTÉ News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Kilkenny break Antrim's resolve in second half spurt
A dominant second period saw Kilkenny break Antrim resistance at Corrigan Park as they made it two wins from two in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. Trailing by one at the break, Derek Lyng's charges upped the pace in the second period and when Martin Keoghan punished an error in the 51st minute to find the net, there was no looking back for Kilkenny. Until then, Antrim had matched them and were worthy of their lead at the half, having recovered from a slow start and perhaps could have been a little further ahead by the short whistle. However, Kilkenny would out-score Davy Fitzgerald's men by 2-13 to 0-01 from the 48th minute on with Eoin Cody leading the charge with 1-13 to his name. Kilkenny flew out of the traps and seemed intent in putting this game away early as Stephen Donnelly pointed seconds in and the scores flowed as Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Fionán Mackessy (free) and Paddy Deegan landed before James McNaughton got Antrim on the board from a free. The Cats were destroying the Antrim restarts with the hosts unable to get on the ball despite playing with the wind in the opening period and three further scores from Kilkenny had them 0-08 to 0-01 up after 11 minutes with the threat of a rout on the cards. However, Antrim found their feet as after McNaughton landed a free, Keelan Molloy pointed out on the right, followed by a monster effort by Conall Bohill. Just three separated them when the Saffrons got their first goal when Conor Johnston did brilliantly to get on the ball in the left corner, play in McNation who cracked home from the angle to level. The Loughgiel man almost had a second goal three minutes later, only to be denied by the post, but three Eoin Cody scores seemed to settle Kilkenny once again. McNaughton and Cody traded scores but then Antrim got a second goal in the 34th minute as Keelan Molloy got onto a long delivery and under pressure, whipped home as the hosts would ultimately take a 2-8 to 0-13 lead into the break. The free-takers continued to trade in the second period with Cody's three to McNaughton's one before substitute Harry Shine landed for the visitors who had clearly upped the ante after the break. After McNaughton pulled one back, Nigel Elliott was through with the goal opening up but Eoin Murphy tipped the shot over as the sides were level. But Kilkenny completely took over after with Billy Ryan and Cian Kenny landing to ensure the starting front eight were on the board and from the restart in the 51st minute, Martin Keoghan overturned Paddy Burke and galloped through for the goal, which put his side 1-21 to 2-11 ahead. That was the game-breaker as Antrim's resistance was broken as Kilkenny ultimately went 1-12 without reply as Mikey Butler and Tommy Walsh added their names to the board. McNaughton finally ended a barren 25 minutes for Antrim in added time, but Kilkenny finished with a flourish as Billy Drennan pointed and with the last act of the game, Eoin Cody went for and got the goal from a free to put the cap on a fine second-half display and victory for the Cats. Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Burke; Conor Boyd, Joe Maskey, Conal Bohill (0-01); Eoghan Campbell, Gerard Walsh; Keelan Molloy (1-01), Nigel Elliott (0-01), Scott Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, James McNaughton (1-09, 0-09f), Conor Johnston. Subs: Cormac McKeown for C Johnston (HT), Sean McKay for R McCambridge (52), Joseph McLaughlin for S Walsh (55), Eoin O'Neill for E Campbell (69), Aodhán McGarry for G Walsh (69). Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler (0-01), Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh (0-01); Mikey Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan (0-01); Cian Kenny (0-02), Jordan Molloy (0-02); Fionán Mackessy (0-01f), John Donnelly (0-01), Billy Ryan (0-01); Stephen Donnelly (0-03), Martin Keoghan (1-02), Eoin Cody (1-13, 1-09f). Subs: Harry Shine (0-01) for F Mackessy (40), Luke Hogan for S Donnelly (64), Billy Drennan (0-01) for J Donnelly (67), Killian Doyle for M Carey (67), Eoghan Lyng for C Kenny (70).
