Kilkenny will meet Galway in the Bord na Mona Walsh Cup final this Sunday in Pearse Stadium, Salthill.
The Cats will likely field a team similar to the ‘development squad’ side that has proven devastatingly effective in the run-up to the final. Richie Mulrooney’s youthful charges have conquered all before them – a thrilling testament to the rich talent available in the county at all age levels.
John Power was the star last weekend in Castlecomer, as the black and amber side sent Westmeath packing. Kilkenny were reduced to 14 men after half time when Eamon Walsh picked up a second yellow card, and the ship momentarily looked a little unsteady. However points from Power and Ger Aylward managed to arrest the visiting side’s momentum, and the Cats saw out the game 1-23, 1-16.
Galway, as always, are something of an unknown quantity when it comes to big games, but they have also looked convincing in the title run-up.
Danger man Joe Canning is back in form. He hit 1-10 in the Tribesmen’s clinical disposal of Laois (2-19 to 0-11 ) in Ballinasloe last weekend. Galway were only four points up at half-time, but upped the ante in the second half and finished strongly.
Sunday’s hurling final will be the first game of a double header, which sees Galway’s footballers facing Louth in round two of the NFL.
Kilkenny team that won the semi-final: D Walsh; J Corcoran, E Walsh, B Kennedy; P Walsh, W Phelan, J Holden; C Buckley, D McCormack; P O'Flynn, L Harney, M Bergin; M Aylward, J Power, G Aylward.
