Kilkenny defeated Galway in the Leinster SHC by 2-20 to 3-13 in what was a magnificent contest at O'Connor Park, Tullamore this evening. This was a fantastic game of hurling and Galway really put it up to Kilkenny, but the experienced Leinster side bided their time and eventually hit top gear just as Galway seemed to run out of steam. Galway started in emphatic fashion as the pulled and dragged the Kilkenny defence all over the place. However, Kilkenny are not All-Ireland champions for no reason and they soon found their rhythm, while slowly reeling their opponents in as they lead by two points at the interval. All-Stars Noel Hickey and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick failed to recover from injury in time for the match. Hickey missed out with a knee injury, meaning JJ Delaney reverted from wing back to the edge of the square. Fitzpatrick broke a bone in his hand recently and has failed to prove his fitness to team manager Brian Cody who named new captain Michael Fennelly and Michael Rice at midfield. John Tennyson was selected at centre half back in the continued absence of Brian Hogan, who suffered a broken collarbone during the NHL final against Tipperary. Despite Kilkenny's injury problems, Cody was able to name 11 of the side that destroyed Waterford in last year's All-Ireland final, though under 21 star Richie Hogan was a surprise exclusion after his man of the match display in the NHL final. Galway received a boost as Joe Canning was passed fit to play. Canning's participation had been thrown into major doubt by stomach and groin problems, but the 20-year-old had shaken off those worries to line out at full forward, where he was policed by Kilkenny's emergency full back JJ Delaney. The only change from the team that walloped Laois in the first round saw Canning's older brother and captain Ollie return to the side at left corner back, while Kevin Hayes is ruled out through suspension. Referee Barry Kelly got the match underway and it was Galway who had the first scoring chance of the evening and Joe Canning fired over a free to settle any early nerves by the first minute. Kilkenny's response was swift and it was Henry Shefflin who equalised with a fine point. A foul by Tommy Walsh saw a 20 metre free awarded and Canning went for goal but PJ Ryan made an excellent save at the expense of a '65, which the Galway full forward duly pointed. The same player then found the back of the net when he gathered and rounded JJ Delaney and blasted to the net for a dream start for the Tribesmen. At this stage it was turning into the Joe Canning show as he converted another free to leave it 1-3 to 0-01 after six minutes. At the other end, Shefflin converted a '65, but Aonghus Callanan hit back for Galway as the pace of the game was electrifying, particularly on the Connacht side's behalf as the hooked, blocked, harried and hassled the Cats. The defending All-Ireland champions kept in touch with another Shefflin free. However, it was the pace of Galway's play that was most impressive and one wondered could they keep that going for the full 70 minutes. A rash challenge by Martin Comerford earned him the distinction of being the first player to be booked. Shefflin hit another free to leave the score line 1-4 to 0-04 after 15 minutes as Kilkenny began to settle into the match and slow the tempo down. Eddie Brennan then earned himself a booking and from inside his own 65 metre line Canning attempted to point, but although he had the distance, his accuracy was slightly off. From the resultant puck out Shefflin gathered and found Comerford, who shot narrowly wide much to the relief of the Galway defence. A further point by Canning from a placed ball left four points between the sides as the Westerners kept their noses in front. Kilkenny were not about to let them out of their sights though and Fogarty pointed. Then Tommy Walsh was booked for a foul on Damien Hayes and there was only one outcome as Canning pointed the free to bring his tally to 1-5 at this stage. A further foul by Walsh, who was threading a fine line was once again punished by the wonder kid with the score now 1-7 to 0-05 after 26 minutes. The Cats needed a goal and that's what they got. It may not have been the classiest of finishes, but don't won't worry Richie Power who batted home from close range and this was followed by an Eoin Larkin point to leave the minimum between the sides. What a turn around, Power gathers a Michael Rice pass, crosses to Brennan, who fires low and hard to the back of the net, game on. Cyril Donnellan hit a fine point as this game was living up to its billing of being a great match. Kilkenny were now putting all the pressure on Galway and Shefflin hit yet another free to make it 2-7 to 1-08 in the 31st minute. This was the last score of the half in what was an absorbing encounter and everyone just hoped that the second half could be played at such a pace. The sides exchanged wides before Canning blasted the ball to the roof of the net from a 20 metre free and Galway were back in front and seconds later he stood up another took another free from the same distance, but this time the Galway forward opted to take his point. Shefflin then hit his sixth point of the match after good work by Larkin to leave the minimum between the sides. Amazingly Canning had a free from the 20 metre line for the third time in as many minutes and a further point was followed by Galway's third goal. Hayes cut through the Cats' defence and played in Healy, whose initial effort was stopped by Ryan, but the corner forward managed to scoop the ball into the net and now there was five points between the sides as Galway started the second half as they did the first. Fogarty and Healy then exchanged points before Brennan made a great catch and went for goal, but his effort was just wide of Callanan's left hand post. Brennan was getting the better of Ollie Canning at this stage and another fine catch saw the KK corner forward fouled and Shefflin narrowed the gap to four points, before hitting another free between the posts for his eighth of the match. Shefflin then got the socre of the match when he hit a massive point from his own 65, which was followed immediately by a Fogarty minor. The sides were level once again when Larkin pointed. Kilkenny were battling all over the field, but no one more so than Michael Rice, who was outstanding at midfield. His work rate epitomised the Cats' heart and determination. Kilkenny took the lead through another Larkin point to edge in front and this was followed by a Derek Lyng score to leave the score 2-16 to 3-11. Larkin was now carrying the fight to Galway and he hit his fourth of the game in fine style. A wild swing by Galway substitute Richie Murray resulted in his dismissal as their fight looked doomed. Kilkenny sub TJ Reid shot over from the wing to leave four points between the sides with four minutes remaining. Former Player of the Year Larkin made it 2-19 to 3-11 as Kilkenny were now hitting top form. Canning tried to rally his troops with another pointed free to bring his tally to 2-9 for the evening as the youngster's profile increase yet again. Shefflin was not to be outdone by the young pretender and he hit his tenth point from yet another placed ball. Hayes then hit his first of the evening from play in the second minute of injury time and this was the last score of what was quite an absorbing contest. Kilkenny - PJ Ryan, M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Tyrell, T Walsh, J Tennyson, J Dalton, M Fennelly, M Rice, H Shefflin (0-10, 6f, 1'65), M Comerford, E Larkin (0-5), E Brennan (1-0), R Power (1-0), A Fogarty (0-3). Subs - D Lyng (0-2) for Fennelly (47), S Cummins for Kavanagh (49), R Hogan for Brennan (61). Galway - C Callanan, D Joyce, S Kavanagh, O Canning, F Moore, J Lee, A Cullinane, E Lynch, K Hynes, A Callanan (0-1), C Donnellan (0-1), A Smith, D Hayes (0-1), J Canning (2-9, 1-7f, 2'65), N Healy (1-1). Subs - D Tierney for Hynes (30), A Kerins for Smith (59), R Murray for Donnellan (60). Ref - Brian Kelly (Westmeath) Tweet

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