Kilkenny will need to improve on their semi-final showing against Cork if they are retain their All-Ireland minor hurling title at Galways expense. The minors of Kilkenny and Galway meet in what promises to be an exciting curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland senior hurling final. Similar to their senior counterparts, Kilkenny are bidding to win their second All-Ireland minor title on the trot and their 18th in all. Galway, who were last crowned champions in 2000, are seeking their fifth title in 11 years and their sixth since making the breakthrough in 1983. The success enjoyed by St. Kieran's College earlier this year, coupled with the fact that John Tennyson, Richie Power and James Fitzpatrick are among the survivors from last year's all-conquering side, resulted in Kilkenny being installed as favourites to retain their title before the championship ever began. However, the difficulties they encountered in beating Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final has raised doubts about their ability and this won't have gone unnoticed to a Galway side who, in contrast, looked very impressive in their semi-final defeat of Tipperary. Such is Kilkenny's superiority over their rivals in Leinster that this year's Leinster minor league final was contested by Kilkenny north and south selections. That final provided team manager Br Damien Brennan with an opportunity to run the rule over a number of players before finalising his panel. The reigning All-Ireland champions got their championship campaign off to an excellent start when they defeated Dublin 4-12 to 0-9 in the provincial semi-final at Portlaoise. Early goals from Richie Power and Austin Murphy helped the young Cats on their way. Late in the first half, Alan Healy added a third to give the black and ambers a 3-2 to 0-5 lead at the break. The second half was one-way traffic with Power and Murphy picking off some fine scores. Eoin Guinan grabbed a fourth goal close to the end to put the seal on an impressive win. Kilkenny captured their 13th Leinster title in 14 years when they defeated Offaly 0-18 to 0-13 in the final at Croke Park. The outcome was never in doubt with the winners setting the pace from the off. James Fitzpatrick and Richie Power shot early points and Offaly had to wait until the 23rd minute to open their account from play. The Cats led 0-11 to 0-6 at the interval and comfortably maintained their advantage in the second half. Offaly did reduce the deficit to four points when they scored three without reply in the closing stages, but as if to underline their superiority, Kilkenny had the final say through Maurice Nolan. The Noresiders were far from impressive in their All-Ireland semi-final against beaten Munster finalists Cork and had brilliant centre forward Richie Power to thank after he inspired them to a 0-15 to 2-8 victory. Though clearly the better team, Kilkenny found themselves hanging on for the win after Cork substitute Diarmuid Doris had plundered a late goal. Kevin Canty got Cork off to an ideal start when he netted after five minutes before Power replied with the first of his 11 points from a free. The usually deadly James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick experienced an off-day at full forward, landing only one point all afternoon, though it must be stated that he was hampered by a wrist injury he had sustained in a club match a few weeks earlier. Two points from Ronan Conway kept Cork's noses in front, but four points from Power and an Eoin Guinan effort left just the minimum between the sides at the break, 1-5 to 0-7. Cork stretched their lead to three points on the restart before the Leinster champions finally began to live up to their lofty reputations with Power landing another four without reply and Fitzpatrick also finding the target. Midway through the half, Power set up midfielder Pat Hartley who duly put the Cats three points clear. Two more scores from the Carrickshock attacking sensation gave Kilkenny a sufficient cushion to withstand Cork's late onslaught. Galway, who are managed by Mattie Murphy, have played one game less than Kilkenny en route to this stage, beating Antrim in the All-Ireland quarter-final and Tipperary in the semi-final. They had things very much their own way against Antrim, running out facile 5-19 to 2-7 winners. The writing was on the wall for the Glensmen after just 10 minutes when a goal from full forward Aonghus Callanan helped Galway to a 1-6 to 0-2 lead. Antrim showed plenty of spirit for the rest of the half, but still trailed 1-4 to 2-9 at the break. The Galway half back line and midfield took complete control of the game on the restart and delivered superb ball into their lethal full forward line containing Callanan and Derek Reilly who scored 5-7 between them. Antrim only trailed 2-7 to 3-13 midway through the half, but they failed to score again as Galway tagged on another 2-6 to put a gloss on their winning margin. In an absorbing semi-final, Galway produced a late scoring surge to overcome Munster champions Tipperary 2-19 to 2-16. Tipperary had looked the most likely winners entering the final 10 minutes, but they were outscored by 0-7 to 0-1 in the time remaining as Mattie Murphy's charges impressively booked their place in the final. Shane O'Brien gave Tipp a dream start when he netted after just 30 seconds and further scores from Richie Ruth and Dara Hickey gave them a commanding lead. But a brace of points from Niall Healy got Galway motoring and with Aonghus Callanan impressing at full forward, they clawed their way back. Tipp were leading 1-8 to 0-9 as the first half ticked into stoppage time when Derek Reilly scored a superb individual goal to give the Tribesmen the slenderest of leads at the break. Reilly added a second goal eight minutes after the restart to increase Galway's advantage to four points. But the Premier County side fought back impressively with a 48th minute point from Richie Ruth bringing them onto level terms. The game looked to be slipping from Galway's grasp when Tipp substitute David Young doubled a high dropping ball to the net one minute later, but it was all Galway thereafter with the losers managing just one more point before the final whistle. On the evidence of their respective semi-final performances, Galway would appear to have more going for them than Kilkenny. The likes of Ger Mahon, John Lee, Niall Healy and Aonghus Callanan are exceptional talents and in manager Mattie Murphy, they have a man who has previously masterminded All-Ireland minor title successes in 1992 and '94. Kilkenny have been flagged as All-Ireland favourites for some time now, but they will realise that they must improve on their semi-final effort if they are to hold onto the Irish Press Cup. A tight game is anticipated, but assuming Richie Power receives greater support in attack, Kilkenny should repeat their All-Ireland minor final victory of a decade ago when they had five points to spare over the Tribesmen. Tweet

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