Galway are the Bord Gáis Energy U21 Leinster hurling champions after a stunning 4-21 to 2-26 victory in Portlaoise tonight.
In a match that would rival any as game of the year, it took extra-time to separate the sides as they finished 3-17 to 2-20 after normal time.
The level of skill on display was best emphasised by Thomas Monaghan who landed a glorious goal after just 11 minutes. The game would continue from there to become a free-flowing affair bursting with scintillating skill and entertainment.
Thomas Monaghan with unbelievable skill, run & finish in this goal for @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/2aRhkzT4uA
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2018
Yet 42 scores only tells part of the story. Wexford finished the first half in exhilarating fashion as they hammered home seven unanswered points with Seamus Casey and Rory O’Connor demonstrating some fine scoring ability to give their county a 0-13 to 1-8 lead.
Rory O’Connor with a monster long range point for @OfficialWexGAA pic.twitter.com/z5ZpDk4aiH
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2018
After the break Wexford picked up where they left up, running up a three-point lead. Yet it could have been more when a foul on Joe O’Connor gave them a penalty but it was saved. Kevin Cooney, younger brother of Joe, brought Galway right back into it with a goal and Evan Niland followed it up with another to flip the game on its head and put Galway in charge.
Noooooooooo! Galway score a goal from a mathematically impossible angle, 1-17 to 2-12 after 46 minutes. Kevin Cooney the scorer
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) July 4, 2018
Niland added a late free which looked like the insurance score, but Wexford refused to die and with the last puck of normal time Ian Carthy struck the sliotar into the back of the net to ensure no one was going home on time.
Sublime stickwork from Ian Carthy scoring this last gasp goal for @OfficialWexGAA pic.twitter.com/rI3rTO1Ezw
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2018
Not that they would anyone would have wanted to leave.
An outstanding 48 scores from Wexford and Galway in 60mins. Munster hurling me arse.#GAA #HurlingToTheCore #BGEU21
— Siobhán Doyle (@thekickart) July 4, 2018
Full time Galway 3.17 v Wexford 2.20. A truly remarkable game . . . Extra time.
— Stephen Glennon (@s_glennon) July 4, 2018
This is one of the most incredible games I’ve ever seen. Sorry to say if you’re not here you’re missing out. Extra Time coming up. No one wants to go home #BGEU21 #gaa #galwayhurling
— David Connors (@peterswellman) July 4, 2018
No light left ref?! Belter of a game in Portlaoise! Extra time it is between @Galway_GAA 3-17 @OfficialWexGAA 2-20 #BGEU21 #HurlingToTheCore pic.twitter.com/3f4s7ApTt7
— Marcus Ó Buachalla (@ohfadabee) July 4, 2018
More late drama
Galway were furious at the amount of added time played and confronted referee John O'Brien after the whistle, while one fan had to be escorted off the field. Slowly Wexford began to beat down the Galway challenge and a long-range Joe O’Connor score looked to have secured the game for the Yellowbellies as it pushed them three ahead. Ciaran Fahy reduced the game to two and some brilliance from Sean Bleahene landed a late goal and ensured Galway would progress to meet Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Sean Bleahene scores a dramatic late goal to seal victory for @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/C84JFVBH81
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 4, 2018
Thus or the first time ever, a Galway captain, Fintan Burke, lifted the Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 21 Hurling trophy.
