Gaelic Games

Henry Shefflin shines as Kilkenny make final

Galway comfortably beaten as home team make progress in Freshford

Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin scored 13 points on his return to the county team against Galway. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho.
Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin scored 13 points on his return to the county team against Galway. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho.
Mon Jan 27 2014 - 01:00

Kilkenny 1-14
Galway 0-15

Several months after surrendering their All-Ireland title, Kilkenny are on the comeback trail – as is talisman Henry Shefflin.

The Ballyhale Shamrocks maestro marked his return to the county side in style, hitting 13 points as Kilkenny eased past Galway and into a Walsh Cup final against Dublin.

Although Galway played well in blustery Freshford, Kilkenny were that much better. The hosts enjoyed a good start when Colin Fennelly finished a well-worked move to the net in the fourth minute.

Galway worked their way back, and with a massive 85-metre free from goalkeeper Colm Callanan and two points from Niall Healy they were level at 0-4 to 1-1 after 12 minutes.

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Three times subsequently the sides were level again before Healy converted a 65 to edge Galway 0-8 to 1-4 ahead.


Erase deficit
They visitors continued to pick off their points and by the time the break was reached Galway were 0-12 to 1-5 in front.

The home side didn’t take long to erase the deficit. Fennelly, Jonjo Farrell (2), Brian Hogan and Shefflin all hit the target to help them catch up at 0-13 to 1-10 in the 43rd minute.

The lead point was landed by Shefflin, who had a 100 per cent strike rate from frees.

In an attacking sense, Galway hardly featured during this half and before the end Darragh Burke was red-carded for a foul on Eoin Larkin.

Shefflin delighted the 2,500-strong attendance with his shooting and inventive play. He was definitely the star of the show as he registered 10 points during the closing half.



KILKENNY: E Murphy; S Prendergast, M Walsh, C Fogarty; J Holden, B Hogan (0-1), P Murphy; A Fogarty (0-1), P Phelan; H Shefflin (0-13 , twelve frees), C Fennelly (1-3), E Larkin (0-1); JJ Farrell (0-3), M Kelly (0-1), L Ryan. Subs: T Breen for Ryan (40 mins), D Langton for Murphy (51 mins), P Walsh (0-1) for Fogarty (51 mins), T Keogh for Prendergast (61 mins), T Walsh for Larkin (70 mins)
GALWAY: C Callanan (0-1); F Moore, R Burke, J Coen; G McInerney, D Burke (0-1), S Óg Linnane; A Harte, N Burke (0-2); C Cooney, J Glynn, C Mannion (0-2); P Landers, N Healy (0-9, six frees, one 65), D Glennon . Subs: Collins for Linnane (45 mins), J Flynn for Landers (55 mins), B Flaherty for Harte (56 mins), D Dolan for Burke (64 mins).
Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).