Galways semi-final performance against Cork would suggest that they are capable of halting Kilkennys bid for a three in-a-row of All-Ireland minor hurling titles. For the second year running, the minors of Kilkenny and Galway meet in what promises to be an exciting curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland senior hurling final. An injury-time point from Richie Power secured a dramatic 2-16 to 2-15 victory for the Cats in last year's decider after Galway had put themselves in a strong position at half-time. Strangely, neither of this year's teams were as highly-rated as the 2003 versions, yet both of them will contest the final once again. Similar to their senior counterparts, Kilkenny are bidding to win their third All-Ireland on the trot and their 19th in all. Galway, who were last crowned champions in 2000, are seeking their fifth title in 12 years and their sixth since making the breakthrough in 1983. Both teams have a sprinkling of survivors from last year's All-Ireland final. Pat Hartley, Maurice Nolan and Eoin Guinan started for Kilkenny, while Neal Prendergast, Eddie O'Donoghue, Ronan Maher and Noel Delahunty were on the bench. Galway also boast seven survivors in Ger Mahon, John Lee, David Kennedy, Mark Herlihy, Kevin Hynes, Paul Madden and Keril Wade with the first three mentioned having started the final. There are two other important links with last year's final - the respective managers Br Damien Brennan and Mattie Murphy. Laois man Brennan has had a 100 per cent record with the Cats since taking over the reins from Nicky Cashin - who was a Waterford selector this year - at the end of 2002, while Murphy is a hugely respected figure in Galway hurling circles, having managed the county at all levels and masterminded All-Ireland minor successes in 1992 and '94. With several of this year's successful St. Kieran's College team on board, the reigning All-Ireland champions got their championship campaign off to an excellent start when they defeated Offaly by 4-12 to 0-7 in the provincial semi-final at Dr Cullen Park. Despite having played five games in the round-robin series, Offaly proved no match for the Cats who had built up a 3-6 to 0-5 lead by half-time. Sixteen-year-old Richie Hogan - a cousin of DJ Carey - scored Kilkenny's first goal in the 16th minute while Maurice Nolan and Eoin Guinan also got in on the goalscoring act. Kilkenny remained in the driving seat in the second half with substitute Matt Ruth's late goal putting the seal on a facile win. The Cats captured their 14th Leinster title in 15 years when they romped to a 1-15 to 1-4 win over Dublin in the provincial decider at Croke Park. The Metropolitans managed just three points from play, yet were well in contention after midfielder Michael Smyth found the net four minutes after the restart. However, Kilkenny immediately regained control with a series of points from Eoin Guinan and Hogan putting the result beyond doubt. Gavin Nolan had accounted for their only goal on the stroke of half-time. Kilkenny's most searching examination came against Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final. Tipp had been widely fancied to reap All-Ireland honours at the start of the campaign, but a Munster final defeat to Cork served as a major setback to their chances. However, they regrouped to beat Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final before squaring up to the Cats on a wet day in Croke Park. The inclement conditions ruled out free-flowing hurling, but the closeness of the exchanges ensured that spectators were kept on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. Tipp made the better start with Kieran Bergin and freetaker Darragh Hickey landing points. Sixty seconds later, however, Gavin Nolan gave Kilkenny the lead with a well-taken goal and they went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the break. Tipp reduced the deficit to the minimum on the resumption and Kilkenny had to wait all of 17 minutes to add to their tally when Richie Hogan scored a great point. The classy forward found the range again 30 seconds later and though Darragh Egan had it back to the minimum again, it was Hogan's older brother Patrick who gave the champions vital breathing space with the best score of the game in the 53rd minute. Tipp substitute Niall Bergin pulled back two points in injury-time, but the Cats held on for a 1-8 to 0-10 victory. Galway have played one game less than Kilkenny, defeating the respective Ulster and Munster champions Antrim and Cork en route to the final. A fine second half performance saw them overcome the Glensmen by 4-24 to 2-7 in an All-Ireland quarter-final at Parnell Park which is remembered for all the wrong reasons after a 16-man melee and three sendings off. Mattie Murphy's side led by 3-7 to 2-5 at the break with Barry Hanley, Kevin Coen and Adrian Murphy all finding the net. Early in the second half, tempers flared when Galway's Kieran O'Donovan appeared to be the victim of a wild pull and a huge melee ensued. When order was restored, Meath referee Fergus Smith issued red cards to Antrim's Seamus Doherty and Galway's John Hughes, who missed the All-Ireland semi-final as a result. After the disruption, Galway upped the tempo and a further goal from Keril Wade, who finished as top scorer with 1-10, copperfastened an easy win for the Connacht side. Sarsfields star Wade was again to the fore as the Tribesmen chalked up an impressive 2-15 to 1-13 victory over Cork in the penultimate round at Croke Park. Wade's contribution of 1-9 proved crucial as Galway withstood a late Cork rally to book their place in the final. Wade received good support from 15-year-old Joe Canning - brother of senior captain Ollie - whose goal in the lead-up to half-time left Cork playing catch-up thereafter. Canning's goal in the 21st minute helped the Tribesmen to a 1-8 to 0-7 lead at the half-way stage and when Wade added a second seven minutes after the restart, Galway looked set to run out comfortable winners. But Cork refused to throw in the towel and after Cathal Naughton had pulled back a goal, they cut the gap to three points with eight minutes remaining. However, Galway steadied themselves in the closing stages with late points from Barry Hanley and Finian Coone seeing them safely home. On the evidence of their respective semi-final performances, Galway would appear to have more going for them. Just like last year, Ger Mahon and John Lee occupy the central positions in defence, while the free-scoring Keril Wade leads an attack which also includes clinical finishers in Kevin Hynes, Barry Hanley and Joe Canning. Br Damien Brennan has consistently tried to play down Kilkenny's chances this year, but whether he likes it or not, they will be most people's favourites to complete a hat-trick of Irish Press Cup wins. While their semi-final win over Tipp was hardly impressive, the Cats showed that they are well able to roll up their sleeves when the need arises. They are formidable all over the field and in young corner forward Richie Hogan, they possess one of the most outstanding talents to emerge on the minor scene in recent years. The Cats are usually a more reliable bet in these sort of games and while this may yet prove to be the case, Galway have a real swagger about them this season and with revenge for last year's heartbreaking defeat utmost on their minds, they will be hard to stop. Verdict: Galway. Tweet

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