ALL-IRELAND MHC FINAL
Galway v Kilkenny
(Sunday, Croke Park, 1pm, live on TG4)
KILKENNY could be left suffering from déjà vu if they fail to prevent the Galway minors from collecting their third All-Ireland title in a row at Croke Park tomorrow afternoon.
There are striking similarities between the 2018 and ’19 seasons as the counties prepare to battle it out for the Irish Press Cup.
In both years Kilkenny have won three from three in the Leinster Championship before losing the provincial final.
On both occasions they won two of their three All-Ireland quarter-final group stage matches with the Tribesmen responsible for both of their defeats.
For the second year in a row, the teams have won their respective semi-finals but now it’s up to the Cats to find a way to secure a different conclusion to the 2019 campaign.
They should have every belief that they can claim a first All-Ireland title at this level since 2014 after a storming semi-final win over Limerick.
Richie Mulrooney’s side led by just two points at the break but the margin was out to 12 points by full-time with Jack Doyle and Billy Drennan grabbing goals in either half.
Drennan is the Championship’s top scorer having notched 2-60 in eight games while Liam Moore is a player to watch given his exciting bursts forward from midfield.
Galway had only three points to spare when these teams met in the quarter-final. Interestingly that was Kilkenny’s sixth competitive fixture and Galway’s first, so it was a mightily impressive result for the victors despite the inevitable ring-rust.
Brian Hanley’s side were always in complete control in their last-four clash with Wexford with Sean McDonagh helping himself to a dozen points.
They received a huge boost in the aftermath of that clash as captain Ian McGlynn had his red card rescinded and he is free to play.
This is an incredible year for Galway with their minor hurlers and footballers both making it to All-Ireland final day. The hurlers should keep alive the possibility of a famous double victory.
Paths to the final
Galway
All-Ireland quarter-final group stage
Galway 3-16 Kilkenny 2-16
Galway 1-24 Clare 1-22
All-Ireland semi-final
Galway 0-20 Wexford 0-11
Kilkenny
Leinster Championship group stage
Kilkenny 0-15 Dublin 2-8
Kilkenny 3-13 Wexford 2-15
Kilkenny 5-29 Offaly 1-9
Leinster Championship final
Kilkenny 3-10 Wexford 3-14
All-Ireland quarter-final group stage
Kilkenny 2-14 Clare 0-13
Kilkenny 2-16 Galway 3-16
All-Ireland semi-final
Kilkenny 2-24 Limerick 0-18
