Kilkenny narrowly beaten by Galway in Leinster Under-20 Championship

The Kilkenny under-20 hurlers will have to settle for a place in the Leinster Quarter-Finals after going down by two points to Galway in the final group game in Portlaoise on Wednesday evening.

Two goals before half-time did the damage for Galway with Brian Callanan and Darragh Counihan both finding the net in quick succession as they turned the game in their favour.

Prior to that stage Kilkenny looked to be doing all the heavy lifting as they quickly opened up a 0-4 to 0-0 lead and then soon went six clear with Patrick Lacey, Jake Mullen and Ed McDermott showing well in attack.

Galway's late second half surge that saw them score 2-2 without reply ultimately was the winning of the game as Henry Shefflin's side were chasing for most of the second half.

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Galway also had the luxury of resting senior star Aaron Niland while Jason Rabbitte only played the last 20 minutes though Kilkenny can look back on a very strong finish to the game.

A converted penalty from Patrick Lacey in the 59th minute which also saw Galway full-back Michael Fallon awarded a black card gave hope to a late comeback but a Brian Shaughnessy free confirmed the two point success in the Tribesmen's favour.

Galway now advance directly to the semi-finals while it's Offaly on Monday week for Kilkenny in the Leinster Quarter-Final.

Teams and Scorers:

Galway: Brian Callanan, Darragh Counihan (1-2 each); Jack Shaughnesy (0-4, 2fs); Ciaran Leen (0-3, 3fs); Luke Kennedy (0-3); Jonah Donnellan (0-2); Cullen Killeen, Jason Rabbitte (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Patrick Lacey (1-7, 7fs); Jake Mullen (0-3), Ed McDermott, Ed Lauhoff (0-2 each); Jim Conlon, Jack Dollard, Kevin Buggy, Sean Bergin, Ollie O'Donovan (0-1 each)

Galway: Chris Callanan; Thomas Blake, Michael Fallon, Ed O'Reilly; Jonah Donnellan, Donnacha Campbell, Gavin Maher; Sean Moran, Cullen Killeen; Luke Kennedy, Darragh Counihan, Jack Shaughnessy; Ciaran Leen, Brian Callanan, Vince Morgan.

Subs: Jason Rabbitte for Leen, 41 mins; Andrew Canning for C.Callanan, 44 mins; Michael Burke for Killeen, 52 mins; Gearoid King for Moran, 56 mins; Harry Holmes for B.Callanan, 64 mins.

Kilkenny: Jake O'Doherty (Mooncoin); Michael Ahern (Emeralds), Rory Garrett (Fenians),  Darragh Vereker (Glenmore); Jim Conlon (Young Irelands), Jack Dollard (Glenmore); Evan Murphy (Dicksboro);  Kevin Buggy (Erin's Own), Ben Nevin (Thomastown); Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro), Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Ruarc Sweeney (O'Loughlin Gaels); Jake Mullen (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro).

Subs: Sean Bergin (James Stephens) for Garrett, 38 mins; Ollie O'Donovan (John Lockes) for Sweeney, 42 mins; Louis Raggett (Dicksboro) for Nevin, 44 mins; Colm Treacy (Thomastown) for Mullen, 50 mins; Eoin Brennan (Erin's Own) for Buggy, 60 mins.

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly)