Galway progress into first All-Ireland hurling final since 2018

Galway were outstanding in every department, producing a heroic display to book their place in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final on Sunday, July 19, where they will face either Limerick or Clare.The Tribesmen delivered a sensational second-half performance that Cork simply had no answer to, pulling away after the interval to seal an emphatic eleven-point victory.

Galway made a blistering start, racing into a 1-3 to 0-2 lead after just six minutes. Wing-forward Darragh Neary burst through the Cork defence before coolly firing his shot past goalkeeper Patrick Collins for the opening goal.

Cork responded well through Brian Hayes, Darragh Fitzgibbon and Alan Connolly, cutting the deficit to 1-7 to 0-9 by the 21st minute. However, Galway continued to keep the scoreboard moving thanks to points from Ronan Glennon, Tiernan Killeen and Conor Whelan.

Cork edged in front on 24 minutes when a sideline cut eventually broke to Alan Walsh, who rifled a superb shot into the top corner. Further points from Hayes (2) and Fitzgibbon helped the Rebels move ahead, but Micheál Donoghue's men responded impressively. Scores from Aaron Niland, Jason Rabbitte, Darren Morrissey and Tom Monaghan left Galway trailing by just a single point, 1-13 to 1-12, at the break.

The Leinster champions completely took control after the restart. Points from Gavin Lee, Pádraic Mannion, Tom Monaghan, Jason Rabbitte, Ronan Glennon and Cathal Mannion stretched Galway's advantage to 1-23 to 1-16. Cork could muster only two second-half scores during that spell, through William Buckley and Shane Barrett, as Galway tightened their grip on the contest. On 55 minutes, Cork captain Darragh Fitzgibbon was dismissed on a second yellow card.

Cathal Mannion, John Fleming and Conor Cooney added further white flags before Cooney put the seal on a magnificent victory with a late goal. Barry Walsh grabbed a late consolation score for Cork, but it proved far too little, too late as Galway cruised into the All-Ireland final with an impressive eleven-point win.

Scorers for Galway: T. Monaghan (0-4); C. Cooney (1-1); A. Niland (frees), J. Rabbitte, R. Glennon, C. Mannion (1 free), C. Whelan (0-3 each); D. Neary (1-0); G. Lee (0-2); T. Killeen, D. Morrissey, P. Mannion, J. Fleming (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: B. Hayes (0-7); A. Connolly (0-4, 3 frees); A. Walsh (1-0); S. Barrett (0-3, 1 free) D. Fitzgibbon (0-2); W. Buckley, B. Walsh (free) (0-1 each).

GALWAY: D. Fahy; D. Burke, C. Trayers, J. Ryan; P. Mannion, D. Morrissey (c), R. Glennon; T. Killeen, G. Lee; D. Neary, C. Mannion, T. Monaghan; C. Whelan, J. Rabbitte, A. Niland. Subs C. Daniels for P. Mannion (temp, 15-16); C. Cooney for A. Niland (47); C. Daniels for J. Ryan (56); J. Fleming for T. Killeen (62); B. Concannon for G. Lee (66).

CORK: P. Collins; N. O’Leary, D. Cahalane, S. O’Donoghue; E. Downey, R. Downey, M. Coleman; T. O’Mahony, T. O’Connell; D. Fitzgibbon (c)¸ S. Barrett, D. Healy; A. Connolly, A. Walsh, B. Hayes. Subs: C. O’Brien for D. Cahalane (h-t); R. O’Flynn for T. O’Connell (48); W. Buckley for A. Connolly (51); B. Walsh for A. Walsh (52); G. Millerick for E. Downey (inj, 61).

REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)