After a predictably class Munster Hurling Championship final between Limerick and Clare, the Leinster equivalent managed to out do it with one the best matches the competition has ever seen.
The game, which was won by Kilkenny by 4-21 to Galway's 2-26, was decided by a Cillian Buckley goal in the last play, after a monumental scrap for the ball in the corner of the pitch.
While it does seem overly harsh to have a go at Galway given the entertainment they served up and the effort applied by their players, Dónal Óg was once again highly critical of their defence, when analysing the match on The Sunday Game.
And this is going to be really uncomfortable reading. And I know players were out on their feet, but Joseph Cooney had a couple of different bites of it, TJ Reid got a hold of it. John Donnelly does well here to get the ball across.
But when it comes Paraic Mannion, and there's a certain amount of unlucky, I'd say if he tried to kick the ball like that you wouldn't kick it as well.
Dónal Óg Criticises 'Sloppy' Galway Defence After Epic Loss To Kilkenny
Some familiar problems came to the fore again for Galway against Kilkenny as once again, their defence left a lot to be desired. #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/QShzuSx0Mb
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 11, 2023
READ HERE: Crazy Finish Sees Kilkenny Win Leinster After Goal With Last Puck Of The Game
READ HERE: Canning & Daly Feel Controversial Decisions Went Against Clare In Final Moments Of Munster Final
"But you also have to say it was reckless in terms of clearing the ball into that position," added Óg.
"Take nothing away from Cillian Buckley, what a warrior he has been for Kilkenny over the last number of years.
"But one thing that their manager [Henry Shefflin] was never was sloppy, and you would have to have question marks over the Galway defence today."
SEE ALSO: Joe Canning Demands Leinster Hurling Final Change After Galway vs Kilkenny Scenes
