Leinster SHC- Kilkenny blown away by dominant Galway in championship opener

For the second time this year, Kilkenny came away from Salthill empty-handed as they suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of Galway in Round 1 of the Leinster Championship.

It's the Cats heaviest championship loss in Leinster in some 36 years and it was an evening where nothing seemed to go Derek Lyng's side's way.

A first half black card to Mikey Carey and a straight red to John Donnelly for a high challenge at the start of the second period severely hampered the Noresiders and while TJ Reid netted a penalty and scored 1-8 in total, it was Galway who were much the better side throughout.

Kilkenny had started quite brightly and led 0-5 to 0-3 inside the first quarter with TJ Reid and Eoin Cody looking sharp in attack.

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The visitors had the aid of a strong breeze at their back however and despite this advantage, Galway looked in control when Rory Burke turned Paddy Deegan to bag the Tribesmen's first major in the 25th minute.

Points from TJ and championship debutant Liam Moore briefly levelled matters but when the returning Mikey Carey and Darragh Corcoran were jointly adjudged to have made contact via the hurl to Aaron Niland, a penalty was given and Carey was off the field for 10 minutes with a black card.

Rory Burke duly converted the penalty and the home side quickly moved five points clear as they led 2-8 to 0-9 at the interval.

Kilkenny had a couple of chances for goals themselves including a shot cleared off the line by Daithi Burke but the breaks weren't going their way and when John Donnelly was given a red card for a challenge on Galway captain Darren Morrissey, the result looked rather academic.

Galway kicked on with another goal from Jason Rabbitte and huge impact from the bench with 14 different players ending up on the scoresheet for Michael Donoghue's men.

TJ Reid got Kilkenny's consolation goal inside the final 10 minutes but that didn't stop a rampant Galway team who scored the last five points on the spin.

Even a red card on a second bookable offence to Conor Whelan didn't improve the mood as Kilkenny fell to a huge 3-25 to 1-16 loss.

Kilkenny now move into a huge home fixture against near neighbours Wexford in Nowlan Park next Saturday evening.

Teams and Scorers

Galway: Rory Burke (2-2); Aaron Niland (0-8, 7fs); Jason Rabbitte (1-1); Ronan Glennon, Darragh Neary, Conor Cooney (0-2 each); Evan Niland (0-1, 1f); Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Gavin Lee, Cian Daniels, Conor Whelan, Thomas Monaghan, Colm Molloy (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: TJ Reid (1-8, 7fs); Eoin Cody (0-2); Jordan Molloy, Liam Moore, Martin Keoghan, Cian Kenny, Timmy Clifford, Stephen Donnelly (0-1 each)

Galway; Darach Fahy; Ronan Glennon, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Gavin Lee; Cian Daniels, Tiernan Killeen; Rory Burke, Cathal Mannion, John Fleming; Jason Rabbitte, Conor Whelan, Aaron Niland.

Subs: Kieran Hanrahan for Morrissey, 36 mins; Thomas Monaghan for Fleming, 43 mins; Darragh Neary for Rabbitte, 56 mins; Colm Molloy for A.Niland, 59 mins; Conor Cooney for Trayers, 62 mins; Evan Niland for R.Burke, 67 mins.

Kilkenny; Aidan Tallis; Mikey Butler, Paddy Deegan, Richie

Reid; David Blanchfield, Darragh Corcoran, Mikey Carey; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Liam Moore, John Donnelly, Gearoid Dunne; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Timmy Clifford for Dunne, h-t; Killian Doyle for Molloy, 49 mins; Ed McDermott for Keoghan, 51 mins; Rory Garrett for R.Reid, 53 mins; Stephen Donnelly for Moore, 61 mins.

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)