Galway won their third Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship title in four years in defeating Kilkenny at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
Galway claimed the curtain raiser 0-21 to 0-14 against a valiant Kilkenny side.
It was closely fought for three-quarters of the game but Galway's depth of quality was the difference by the final whistle.
Kilkenny actually got off to a lightning start, hitting the first four points of the game with no reply from Galway. Those four included a superb sideline from Ciaran Brennan.
Ciarán Brennan with a lovely sideline cut resulting in a point for Kilkenny! pic.twitter.com/uozlM2fZgx
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 19, 2018
Galway stormed back into the match, firing over the next six points to take the advantage.
Though they were underdogs heading into the final, you would not have known that from Kilkenny's first 30 minutes. Jack Buggy became the second Cats player to hit a point from a sideline to keep Kilkenny in touch.
Jack Buggy with a Kilkenny's second point from a sideline! pic.twitter.com/JuPwBNWywz
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 19, 2018
By the half, Kilkenny had wrestled the lead from Galway. They led 10-8.
Check out the half-time highlights from the Minor Hurling All-Ireland Final between Galway and Kilkenny! pic.twitter.com/y3706HsReT
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 19, 2018
Seven minutes into the second half and Galway had retaken the lead. By the 44th minute, their class was beginning show as their extended that lead to three points for the first time. Evan Duggan was the scorer, a superb solo point.
Fantastic score from Galway's Evan Duggan! pic.twitter.com/7aU8n1Md5n
— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 19, 2018
Galway stretched their legs further in the final 15 minutes as substitute Sean McDonagh and Dean Reilly hit points to further widen the gap.
In the first minute of injury time as Galway held a six-point lead, Kilkenny manufactured a glorious goal chance but the Tribesmen fullback line - including Man of the Match Shane Jennings and goalkeeper Paddy Rabitte - held firm.
What it’s all about!
An bua tuillte ag @Galway_GAA @gbfmsports @officialgaa @ballsdotie @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/SoJ09CIDr4— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 19, 2018
