MINOR HURLING: The cool head of Kilkenny fullback John Tennyson led to the beginning of the end for Galway in the dying moments of an absorbing All-Ireland minor hurling semi-final at Croke Park yesterday.
Tennyson's contribution was significant throughout but never more so than during injury-time as Kilkenny were grimly holding on to a one-point lead.
Galway substitute Kevin Huban went on a burst down the left flank. He struck the ball well but Tennyson leapt high to effect a wonderful overhead catch on the fringe of the square.
Tennyson's delivery switched play instantly to the other end for Willie O'Dwyer to slot home a great point. It wasn't exactly the insurance point in that it left two and not four points between the sides but with referee John Sexton looking at his watch there was no way back for Galway.
Not surprisingly the scene that followed was one of Galway players strewn on the ground in utter despair. They would have been anyone's favourites to win in the first half as they set a difficult pace for Kilkenny to match.
Kilkenny found a new gear after the interval and fairly controlled the exchanges to take the lead twice in the closing stages.
It was only fitting that James Fitzpatrick figured in Kilkenny regaining the lead 21 minutes into the second period. He had notched their opening score for the lead in the first minute of the match and then had the goal that set the Leinster champions' bid on fire 12 minutes into the second half, taking the score to 2-9 apiece.
It was at this juncture that Galway's likely hero, midfielder Cathal Dervan, lost his touch in wasting two very feasible frees with wind assistance.
Kilkenny were particularly strong down the right flank of attack, with Richie Power upholding a great family tradition with another game of distinction. His first-half goal, an integral part of Kilkenny's catch up process, left only two points between the teams.
Galway's commendable first- half display was enhanced by their ability to pick off scores when the pass was made to a colleague inside the Kilkenny half.
But it was not always easy to breech the Kilkenny defence, with the likes of Keith Nolan in such inspirational form and Galway had to be satisfied with a 2-8 to 1-8 interval advantage.
KILKENNY: C Grant; P Holden J Tennyson D Prendergast; S Cadogan C Hoyne, K Nolan; PJ Delaney (0-1), S Maher; R Power (1-4 two frees), M Rice (0-1), S Coonan (0-1); J Fitzpatrick (1-4), W O'Dwyer (0-1), A Healy (0-1). Subs: E Reid for Hoyne (half-time); P Kennedy for Cadogan (41 mins); D McCormack for Coonan (61 mins).
GALWAY: A Ryan; D Reilly, B Costelloe, J Farrell; D Collins, A Garvey, K Brisco; C Dervan (0-3 two points 65 one free), N Callanan; B Lucas, I Tannian (0-1), J Gantley 0-2; N Healy, A Callanan, K Burke (2-5). Subs: D Kelly for N Callanan (18 mins); D Garvey for Lucas (20 mins); D Reilly for A Callanan (55 mins); P Flynn for Brisco (40 mins).
Referee: J Sexton (Limerick)
Cork overwhelmed a disappointing Galway side 4-12 to 0-5 in the Foras na Gaeilge All-Ireland Camogie semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Saturday
Scorers: Cork - F O'Driscoll 2-4, J O'Leary 1-3, E Dillon 1-0, V Harris, U O'Donoghue 0-2 each, C Harrington 0-1. Galway - L Kavangh, S Glynn 0-2 each, O Kilkenny 0-1.
The second semi-final saw three-in-a-row champions Tipperary beat a disappointing Kilkenny side 1-11 to 0-6.
Scorers: Tipperary - D Hughes 1-0, C Grogan 0-3, J Ryan, P Fogarty, N Kennedy 0-2 each, C Gaynor, E Mc Donnell 0-1 each. Kilkenny - S Millea 0-3, A Neary 0-2, E Maher 0-1.
