Galway 3-25 Kilkenny 1-16
With a new and exciting wave of talent being developed, the locals went home content that two Leinster SHC points were pocketed with the minimum of fuss.
The findings from the Allianz Hurling League brought a dash of hope in the west, and Micheál Donoghue’s emerging team enjoyed plenty of encouraging first half moments.
A couple of Rory Burke goals ensured the pumped up home team departed at the break armed with a 2-8 to 0-9 lead.
Kilkenny, who were more efficient converting chances initially, had edged 0-7 to 0-6 in front before Galway pounced for a 25th minute major.
The move illustrated Galway’s slick style as Padraic Mannion, Cian Daniels, and Tiernan Killeen were all involved in the build up with Burke providing the accomplished finish.
Liam Moore and TJ Reid (free ) responded to draw Kilkenny level, 1-6 to 0-9, but Galway hit 1-2 on the spin.
Burke rifled a 34th minute into the back of the Kilkenny net following a foul on Aaron Niland, resulting in a yellow card for Darragh Corcoran and a Mikey Carey black card.
Daniels, diligent at centrefield, and the effective Burke added points ensuring Galway were five ahead at the turnaround.
Within seconds of the restart Kilkenny’s John Donnelly was red carded for a challenge on Darren Morrissey.
Galway dictated the agenda in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors by 1-6 to 0-3.
During that burst, the Galway goal arrived in the 48th minute as Cathal Mannion and Daniels combined to release Rabbitte, who made the Kilkenny net dance.
Following a 61st minute foul on the industrious Eoin Cody, TJ Reid goaled for Kilkenny reducing the deficit to 3-16 to 1-13.
It scarcely bothered Galway, though, as substitites Darragh Neary (2 ), Conor Cooney (2 ), Colm Molloy, Tom Monaghan, and Evan Niland (free ) all contributed scores.
In the dying embers Conor Whelan was sent off for a second yellow card offence. Offaly are next on the agenda for Galway on April 26. The previous evening Kilkenny host Wexford at UPMC Nowlan Park. Crucial matches are arriving thick and fast.
Scorers for Galway: Rory Burke 2-2 (1-0 pen ), Aaron Niland 0-8 (6fs ), Jason Rabbitte 1-1, Ronan Glennon, Conor Cooney, and Darragh Neary 0-2 each, Cian Daniels, Daithi Burke, Padraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, Colm Molloy, Conor Whelan, Tom Monaghan, and Evan Niland (f ) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 1-8 (1-0 pen, 7fs ), Eoin Cody 0-2, Liam Moore, Jordan Molloy, Cian Kenny, Martin Keoghan, Stephen Donnelly, and Timmy Clifford 0-1 each.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Ronan Glennon, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, Daithí Burke; Cian Daniels, Tiernan Killeen; Rory Burke, Cathal Mannion, John Fleming; Jason Rabbitte, Conor Whelan, Aaron Niland.
Galway 2-26 Offaly 1-18
Late goals from Conor Cooney and Rory Burke helped Galway to withstand a second half Offaly rally and make it two wins from two in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in Salthill.
Micheál Donoghue’s side failed to hit the heights of their emphatic victory over Kilkenny at the same venue a week previous, and saw their lead cut to 0-20 to 1-13 when Offaly sub Oisín Kelly cracked home a brilliant 55th minute goal.
From there, though, the hosts reasserted their authority. Jason Rabbitte, Cathal Mannion and the Burkes, Daithí and Rory, all fired points to go with their match-defining goals in the 63rd and 65th minute.
The in-form Conor Whelan was Galway’s star of the opening half, shooting four of his overall five-point tally as the hosts retired to their dressing-room with a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage despite shooting into the wind.
They started in the ascendancy and were 0-6 to 0-1 to the good on 13 minutes on the back of points from Whelan (three ), Aaron Niland (two, one free ) and Rabbitte.
Dan Bourke fired Offaly’s lone reply and the visitors remained 0-9 to 0-4 adrift by the 20th minute after Darragh Neary, Rory Burke and Niland (free ) all found the target for Galway. Offaly top scorer Adam Screeney sent a goal chance inches over Darach Fahy’s crossbar and along with netminder Liam Hoare converted placed balls from distance.
From there to half-time, Offaly enjoyed the better of the exchanges. Conor Doyle and Screeney (free, 65 ) picked off two points apiece and Shane Rigney and Jack Clancy were also on target.
Galway’s late scores came from Gavin Lee and Whelan, while Niland topped up his tally to leave three between the teams at the end of the opening 35 minutes.
The Tribesmen would have enjoyed a more substantial advantage but for the excellence of Hoare who denied Rory Burke (twice ) and Jason Rabbitte from point-blank range in the half. Aaron Niland also fizzed a shot past his post.
Galway looked to have made a telling move in the third quarter when hitting seven of the half’s opening nine points. Niland continued to punish Offaly from frees and play while the Mannion brothers, Cathal and Padraic, also tallied along with a fifth from Whelan. The Offaly net continued to live a charmed life as Rabbitte had a goal attempt blocked and Whelan struck a post.
Offaly’s replies came from Shane Rigney and Screeney (free ) and their prospects of a first championship win over their western neighbours since 1994 improved when a Ross Ravenhill white flag was followed by Oisín Kelly’s 55th minute goal that closed the gap to 0-20 to 1-13.From there, Galway reasserted their authority with Rabbitte, Cathal Mannion and the Burkes, Daithí and Rory, all firing points to go with their match-sealing goals in the 63rd and 65th minute from Conor Cooney and Rory Burke as they pulled clear.
Scorers for Galway: Aaron Niland 0-9 (7f ); Rory Burke 1-2, Conor Whelan 0-5; Cathal Mannion 0-4 (3f ); Conor Cooney 1-0; Jason Rabbitte 0-2; Padraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Gavin Lee and Darragh Neary 0-1 each.
Scorers for Offaly: Adam Screeney 0-8 (5f, 165 ); Oisín Kelly 1-0; Shane Rigney and Conor Doyle 0-2 each; Liam Hoare (f ), Ross Ravenhill, Jack Clancy, Dan Bourke, Brian Duignan and Charlie Mitchell 0-1 each.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Darren Morrissey (captain ), Cillian Trayers, Ronan Glennon; Gavin Lee, Padraic Mannion, Daithí Burke; Cian Daniels, Cathal Mannion; John Fleming, Darragh Neary, Rory Burke; Jason Rabbitte, Conor Whelan, Aaron Niland. Subs: Conor Cooney for Niland (54 ), Tom Monaghan for Neary (59 ), Colm Molloy for Fleming (65 ), Kieran Hanrahan for Trayers (67 ), Shane Morgan for Daithí Burke (67 ).
Galway 4-22 Kildare 1-22
Galway scored three second half goals as they eventually pulled clear of Kildare at Cedral St Conleths Park to make it three wins out of three in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, but only after they had been put to the pin of their collar by a gallant Kildare outfit.
There was a strong wind behind the home side but that wasn’t the sole reason that Brian Dowling’s team held a 10 point lead. They out-worked, out-harried and out-hassled their more illustrious opponents and there was only a point between the teams before Galway’s outstanding player on the day, Conor Whelan, scored their fourth goal in the 60th minute.
Galway went on to outscore their hosts by 0-8 to 0-2 to leave a flattering nine point gap between the teams by the end.
Micheál Donoghue made four changes to the Galway team that had beaten Offaly in their last game, including leaving out U20 stars Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte, and he wore the look of a worried man as Kildare outplayed his team in the opening half.
The industrious Muiris Curtin caused endless problems for the Galway defence in the opening half and he scored Kildare’s goal in the fifth minute after a terrific ball in by Conan Boran.
After that goal, Kildare rattled off five points in a row to lead 1-7 to 0-1 by the 13th minute.
It was only really Whelan who looked the part for Galway as they played second fiddle through the opening 35 minutes. With the wind behind them, the likes of Paul Dolan, Rian Boran, Cathal McCabe and Gerry Keegan scored outstanding long range points, while Jack Sheridan was flawless from dead balls.
With the score at 1-14 to 0-5, Galway pulled a goal back on the half hour mark when Whelan sent Rory Burke in on goal and he buried to the back of the net and it was 1-15 to 1-5 as the sides went to the dressing room.
Galway then had the wind behind them for the second half but there was a noticeable increase in their intensity and they got a good impact off their bench.
Half time substitute Thomas Monaghan scored the first of their three second half goals in the 40th minute, and Cian Daniels bundled home their third eight minutes later. Whelan levelled the game for the first time in the 51st minute, but Sheridan converted a free that he had won himself to give Kildare the lead once more.
Monaghan and Cathal Mannion replied as Galway took the lead for the first time in the 54th minute.
Whelan took advantage of a visibly tiring Kildare to score Galway’s fourth goal on the stroke of the hour. They eventually pulled away to what looked on the scoreline like a comfortable win but anybody who was in Newbridge to witness it would tell that certainly wasn’t the case.
It leaves Galway on six points, while Kildare are still yearning to turn positive performances into significant results.
Scorers for Galway: T Monaghan 1-4; C Whelan, R Burke 1-3 each; C Mannion 0-5 (3fs,1 ‘65 ); C Daniels 1-0; T Killeen, O Lohan 0-2 each; J Fleming, C Cooney, D Neary 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kildare: J Sheridan 0-5 (3fs, 2 ’65 ); M Curtin 1-3; G Keegan 0-3; R Boran 0-2; C McCabe, P Dolan 0-1
Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Gavin Lee; Cian Daniels, Tiernan Killeen; Conor Cooney, Cathal Mannion, John Fleming; Rory Burke, Conor Whelan, Colm Molloy.
Subs: Ronan Glennon for Ryan (h-t ), Thomas Monaghan for Molloy (h-t ), Darragh Neary for Cooney (50 ), Cianan Fahy for Fleming (56 ), Oisin Lohan for Killeen (64 ).
Dublin 3-16 Galway 0-21
Dublin leapfrogged Galway at the top of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship standings and sealed qualification for the All-Ireland series after Brian Hayes struck a sensational match-winning goal in the fifth minute of injury-time in Pearse Stadium.
Colm Molloy’s equaliser looked to have earned a draw that the previously unbeaten Tribesmen needed to reach the provincial decider. But a late, late Dublin surge delivered 1-1 and secured a victory that leaves them unbeaten ahead of a final round clash with Kilkenny.
Molloy’s point in the 74th minute was one of only two scored by Galway in the closing 19 minutes of action as Dublin, who hit 2-4 during the same spell, finished with a flourish with a point from All-Star Cian O’Sullivan following Hayes’ goal in a thrilling finale.
Chief score getter Dónal Burke led the way for Dublin with 1-9 and their defence was magnificent up against a Galway attack missing the injured Rory Burke. The impact of subs John Hetherton and Ronan Hayes, who struck 1-2, on their inside line was also instrumental for Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s side in the match-defining moments.
Five Aaron Niland points and two from Padraic Mannion helped Galway into a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at the end of a low-key opening 35 minutes. The standout statistic was the dozen wides they accumulated along the way – Galway finished with 17 to Dublin’s three – and led to an inadequate return while playing with the elements.
Conal Ó Riain sent over two from play at the opposite end, while the remainder of Dublin’s tally came courtesy of Dónal Burke placed balls with his goal coming from a 13th minute 65 that finished in the net off Daithí Burke’s stick.
The third quarter brought much-improved fare and Galway maintained an edge with scores from Tom Monaghan, sub Darragh Neary, Jason Rabbitte and Cathal Mannion, who took over the place ball duties from the injured Aaron Niland, helping them to a 0-19 to 1-12 lead on 56 minutes.
Though Conor Burke and Conor Donohue struck wind-assisted points, Dublin relied mainly on Dónal Burke for scores until the introduction of Ronan Hayes and John Hetherton to their inside line turned the game.
Hayes’ goal, from a Hetherton assist, levelled matters at 2-13 to 0-19 on the hour mark while the former’s second point was followed by a Dónal Burke 65 to leave two between the sides late on.
Cathal Mannion halved the deficit and when Colm Molloy levelled in the 74th minute, Galway looked to have rescued a draw. But there would be a late twist in the seconds that remained.
Eddie Gibbons launched a booming puckout towards Hetherton, Ronan Hayes collected the break and Brian Hayes was soon racing clear to net Dublin’s match-winning third goal in the fifth added minute.
O’Sullivan’s last-gasp point would cap a huge result for Dublin and also hand Galway their first defeat on the championship.
Scorers for Galway: Aaron Niland 0-5 (4f ); Cathal Mannion (3f, 165 ) 0-4; Tom Monaghan 0-3; Padraic Mannion, Conor Whelan and Darragh Neary 0-2 each; Cian Daniels, Jason Rabbitte and Colm Molloy 0-1 each.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Ronan Glennon, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey (captain ); Padraic Mannion, Daithí Burke, Gavin Lee; Cian Daniels, Tiernan Killeen; John Fleming, Cathal Mannion, Aaron Niland; Jason Rabbitte, Conor Whelan, Tom Monaghan.
Galway 2-31 Wexford 3-20
Galway produced a mammoth 21-point turnaround at a baking Chadwicks Wexford Park to confirm passage to a fourth Leinster SHC final within the space of five years.
The Tribesmen appeared in danger of finishing third in the group after Wexford, despite being out of contention, powered thirteen points clear after 24 minutes (3-9 to 0-5 ) with goals from captain Jack O’Connor, Lee Chin (penalty ) and Cillian Byrne.
Galway produced a vital rally to close to within six at the break (3-12 to 0-15 ), before springing Conor Cooney from the bench on the restart to outclass the home-side subsequently and emerge eight point winners courtesy of goals from Jason Rabbitte and Cooney (penalty ).
In sweltering conditions, the sides shared the first four scores – Lee Chin (free ) and Kevin Foley negating a brace of Tom Monaghan scores – before the home-side embarked upon their brightest spell of the campaign.
Indeed, Keith Rossiter’s charges rocked Galway back on their heels as the home-side mined 2-6 without reply between the seventh and eighteenth minutes.
Cian Byrne nudged Wexford in front, and after a rush of scores from Conor Hearne, emerging defender Stephen Martin, Ross Banville and Kevin Foley, the hosts landed the first major blow.
Midfielder Diarmuid O’Leary was denied a goal during the early minutes by a smart intervention from Galway stopper Darach Fahy.
But there was nothing the Ardrahan man could do as Wexford captain Jack O’Connor swooshed home a hand-pass from Conor Hearne on fifteen minutes following a dash from midfield by the latter (1-7 to 0-2 ).
And Wexford piled on the pressure when Lee Chin rammed home a seventeenth-minute penalty he earned after interference by Joshua Ryan, who was black-carded for his troubles (2-7 to 0-2 ).
Ross Banville extended the gap to twelve points before Evan Niland – from a free – stemmed the Galway bleed with their first score in fifteen minutes with a 19th minute free.
Galway repaired some of the damage through Niland (two frees ), Conor Whelan and Monaghan, while Jason Rabbitte drew a save from Mark Fanning.
But Wexford rammed home their early supremacy when Cillian Byrne flashed to the net from a nifty Chin assist to blow open a 3-9 to 0-7 margin.
Galway, with Joshua Ryan returning, rallied strongly to shave the gap to 3-12 to 0-15 at the interval, Jason Rabbitte and free-taker Niland leading the way with a brace apiece.
Galway swapped Evan Niland for Conor Cooney during the interval, and the St. Thomas’ sharpshooter certainly strengthened their hand with a personal contribution of 1-8 chiefly from placed-balls.
Indeed, he converted a brace of frees as Galway resumed to close to within 3-13 to 0-18 after 40 minutes, although Wexford were denied a certain goal moments later with a priceless deflection after Lee Chin wriggled through from a Conor Hearne set up.
Galway were building a head of attacking steam, and they eventually regained parity after 56 minutes when Jason Rabbitte powered to the net from a Conor Whelan assist (1-23 to 3-17 ).
And they kept their foot to the floor as three Cooney scores – two frees – and an additional point by Tom Monaghan – arguably the man of the match – launched Galway four clear by the 62nd-minute.
Wexford’s second-half struggles were added to when they lost netminder Fanning to a black-card after preventing Galway sub Brian Concannon from finding the net.
Kevin Foley took over between the posts, but he was helpless to prevent Conor Cooney goaling the resultant penalty as Galway fought back to a solid victory, but with serious question-marks surrounding their limp effort for a vast portion of the opening period.
Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 1-8 (0-8fs, 1-0 pen. ), Tom Monaghan 0-6, Evan Niland 0-5, Jason Rabbitte 1-2, Conor Whelan 0-3, Tiernan Killeen 0-2, Gavin Lee, Ronan Glennon, Darragh Neary, Daithí Burke (free ), John Fleming 0-1 each
Galway: Darach Fahy; Daithí Burke, Cillian Trayers, Joshua Ryan; Darren Morrissey, Pádraic Mannion, Ronan Glennon; Cian Daniels, Gavin Lee; Conor Whelan, Tiernan Killeen, Darragh Neary; Tom Monaghan, Jason Rabbitte, Evan Niland. Subs: Kieran Hanrahan for Burke, temp. (7-9 ), Conor Cooney for Niland (HT ), Hanrahan for Ryan (50 ), John Fleming for Killeen (52 ), Cianan Fahy for Glennon (61 ), Brian Concannon for Lee (67 ).
Galway 4-29 Dublin 4-15
This was a particularly sweet Leinster SHC triumph for Galway. Micheál Donoghue’s collection of emerging and established players dovetailed nicely to secure a first provincial crown since 2018.
Whatever questions Dublin posed, Galway found solutions. Everywhere somebody in maroon was delivering when it truly counted.
The experienced warriors contributed. Daithí Burke was an injury doubt, but produced a display of trademark defiance at full-back. The Mannion brothers were immense, providing leadership and moments of brilliance.
Tom Monaghan was splendid, rifling seven points from a variety of distances and angles. Conor Whelan, who set the tone with a gorgeous first minute point, was relevant throughout.
Galway thundered into the match following Whelan’s early intervention with a delicious 12th minute goal illustrating the style being adopted in 2026. Inevitably Whelan was involved with Rory Burke, releasing the lively Darragh Neary to net.
That major put Galway 1-7 to 0-3 clear, but Dublin responded admirably. The gap was trimmed to the minimum, 1-9 to 1-8, when Conal Ó Riain struck a delightful Dublin goal. It was moving along at a nice clip.
Six of the remaining nine first half points, though, were struck by Galway, who departed 1-15 to 1-11 ahead at the interval.
After the restart Galway, with Monaghan and Whelan impressing, were 1-23 to 1-14 ahead by the 52nd minute.
Dublin were awarded a penalty when Whelan was deemed to have fouled John Hetherton. Whelan was black carded and Donal Burke buried the resultant penalty.
Aaron Niland, Galway, and Paddy Doyle, Dublin, in Leinster SHC Final action at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Despite being reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes, Galway continued to move the sliotar smartly. Aaron Niland and Neary raised white flags before Galway grabbed a goal from a penalty of their own.
Galway substitute Conor Cooney was fouled by Andrew Dunphy, who was black carded. Niland’s conversion was clinical, guiding Galway 2-26 to 2-15 clear.
Further Galway damage was inflicted as a Cooney goal was subsequently followed by two immaculate Monaghan points.
Conal Ó Riain narrowed the gap with a Dublin goal, but Galway summoned a reply. Whelan clipped his fifth point and then Jason Rabbitte, who caused plenty of damage, released another Galway replacement, John Fleming to score a goal.
Whitely’s nifty flick ensured Dublin pinched a fourth goal in the dying embers. It was Galway’s evening at the Jones Road venue. Donoghue has the maroon and white team relevant again.
Scorers for Galway: Aaron Niland 1-8 (6fs ), Tom Monaghan 0-7, Conor Whelan 0-5, Darragh Neary and Conor Cooney 1-1 each, John Fleming 1-0, Ronan Glennon and Cathal Mannion (1 sideline ) 0-2 each, Tiernan Killeen, Jason Rabbitte, and Rory Burke 0-1 each.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Cillian Trayers, Daithí Burke, Darren Morrissey; Ronan Glennon, Padraic Mannion, Cian Daniels; Cathal Mannion, Tiernan Killeen; Tom Monaghan, Conor Whelan, Darragh Neary; Jason Rabbitte, Rory Burke, Aaron Niland.
Galway 2-26 Cork 1-18
An exciting Galway outfit – with a potent blend of emerging and established talent – delivered in style.
Micheál Donoghue and his backroom team have steered Galway back into an All-Ireland decider as a dynamic display defeated Cork at GAA headquarters.
A blistering start signalled Galway’s significant intentions. Then, the worry arrived when Cork reeled off 1-4 without reply to lead 1-12 to 1-7 as the interval approached.
Galway, though, demonstrated defiance clipping five of the last six first half points to ensure only the minimum was the deficit at the turnaround, 1-13 to 1-12.
After the restart the game was about Galway’s purpose and passion. Cork were restricted to five points. The match altering third quarter burst featured nine unanswered Galway scores.
Cork just couldn’t recover and another harrowing loss at the Jones Road venue suffered.
Initially, Galway had edged 0-3 to 0-2 ahead before Conor Whelan released Darragh Neary to plant a sixth minute goal. The splendid Jason Rabbitte added a point to steer Galway 1-4 to 0-2 in front.
Cork, prompted by the excellent Brian Hayes, did summon a response, narrowing the gap to one, 1-6 to 0-8 by the 18th minute.
Tiernan Killeen fired over a Galway point, but then Cork enjoyed a spell of supremacy. Inside Hayes was doing damage and the St Finbarr’s attacker supplied a point to leave Cork trailing by one.
Alan Walsh fetched an Eoin Downey sideline cut, and subsequently rattled the Galway net. Cork were two clear and further scores from Hayes (2 ) and Darragh Fitzgibbon embellished the lead.
Despite the setback, Galway finished the opening period impressively. Rabbitte was relevant, while captain Darren Morrissey, the sweet striking Tom Monaghan, and Aaron Niland all supplied points ensuring Cork’s advantage was trimmed.
After the restart Gavin Lee and Shane Barrett traded points, but Galway seized the initiative. Ronan Glennon, who was immense, Padraic Mannion, Monaghan, Rabbitte, Whelan, Lee, and Cathal Mannion all contributed as Galway manufactured a 1-22 to 1-14 advantage.
Cork terminated a 16 minute search for a score when Hayes pointed. Substitute William Buckley announced his arrival with a further Cork effort, but Galway were unperturbed.
In the 55th minute Fitzgibbon was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Glennon and Galway closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss.
Replacements John Fleming and Conor Cooney craved involvement. Deep into injury time the opportunistic Cooney, with a flash of class, decorated the win with the insurance goal. A guttural Galway roar greeted the full-time whistle.
Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 1-1, Tom Monaghan 0-4, Darragh Neary 1-0, Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Ronan Glennon, Cathal Mannion (2fs ), and Aaron Niland (3fs ) 0-3 each, Gavin Lee 0-2, Tiernan Killeen, John Fleming, Padraic Mannion, and Darren Morrissey 0-1 each.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Daithí Burke, Cillian Trayers; Padraic Mannion, Darren Morrissey, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary; Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland.
Subs: Cian Daniels for P Mannion (15-16 ), Conor Cooney for Niland (47 ), Cian Daniels for Ryan (56 ), John Fleming for Killeen (62 ), Brian Concannon for Lee (66 ), Seán Linnane for Neary (70+1 ).
