Galway gained revenge for their All Ireland Final defeat to Kilkenny, when they beat the Cats in the opening round of the Allianz National Hurling League on Sunday afternoon.
Galway 3-11 Kilkenny 0-17
The home side were quickly into their stride and with Joe Canning again pulling the strings, they led 0-2 to 0-00 early on. Richie Power replied for Kilkenny and soon the sides were level, before Canning struck a fine sideline cut to put Galway back in front. Goals from Davy Glennon and Niall Healy extended the lead and at 2-03 to 0-4, the home side were coasting. Two frees from Kilkenny reduced the lead further, and after 28 minutes, it was 2-04 to 0-8. The Cats are renowned for their comebacks and having hit five without reply it looked like game up for Galway, before Hayes found the net and the lead was extended once more. The sides went in the break with Galway ahead 3-04 to 0-10.
Kilkenny scored first in the second half, but the Tribesmen hit back to cancel it out. Two from Canning and another from Glennon extended the home sides lead as the half wore on. he second period was never going to be able to live up to the first, and the clock ran out for Kilkenny, as they exchanged scores with a Galway side led by Canning. On the day the home side were the better team and no one could argue with the result.
The final score of 3-11 to 0-17 showed that once again there is very little between these two great teams. No doubt as the Leinster Championship and All Ireland series progresses these two sides will be seeing a lot more of each other. It this afternoons match in Pearse Stadium is anything to go by then hurling fans are in for a fantastic summer.
