GALWAY's bid for an All Ireland hurling treble was carried a step further in Tullamore on Saturday when they defeated the holders, Kilkenny, in the junior final. Already crowned under 21 champions, they will be looking to their minors to complete the hat trick when they take on Tipperary next Sunday.

Galway's prospects looked slim in Saturday's game when they faced interval arrears of 2-7 to 0-7, Kilkenny full forward Ken O'Shea getting both goals.

It was a vastly improved Galway performance on the change of ends. The real turning point came in the 44th minute when Basil Larkin got through for a goal.

Galway hit the front for the first time when Michael Connolly pointed a free seven minutes from the end. There was no denying Galway then who finished the game with points from Healy and a Connolly penalty.