The restructuring of the Minor Championship in 2018 meant that Galway would be given extra game time out on the field as they pursued a second minor title in as many seasons. This is how they made it to the this Sunday's decider.
Galway 1-20 0-12 Limerick
Semple Stadium, July 8
Any fears that Galway's minors would be going into their opening match of the 2018 Championship undercooked were quickly dispelled as they recorded an impressive 11 point victory in Thurles over the Munster runners-up.
Donal O'Shea provided the key moment of the match when he raised the green flag before the break as Galway took control in the second half and kicked on to seal the two match points.
O'Shea ended the game with 1-5 (3f, 1’65 ) and he had good scoring support from Sylane's Keelan Creaven and Jason O’Donoghue (Gort ) with three points each.
Diarmuid Kilcommins (Annaghdown ), Dean Reilly (Pádraig Pearses ), and substitute Colm Cunningham (Moycullen ) all hit two points apiece.
Galway 1-21 2-11 Kilkenny
Semple Stadium, July 15
A week later Galway returned to Thurles to face the Leinster runners-up Kilkenny where a win would secured Jeffrey Lynskey's men a place in the last four.
The win was built on a brilliant first half performance which saw Galway go into the break 1-14 to 2-3 ahead.
Kilkenny stayed doggedly in touch in the second period but Galway were always in control and recorded a comfortable seven point win to see them through to an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Dublin.
Donal O'Shea top scored with 10 points with Dean Reilly chipping in with a goal and four points.
