HOW the main men from Kilkenny and Galway fared individually on the biggest day of the hurling year...
KILKENNY
Eoin Murphy: Almost another clean sheet from the Glenmore stopper who, ironically, has only leaked goals to Galway this summer - two in the Leinster final and one on Sunday. He could be cut some slack on this occasion as Joe Canning’s low shot deflected wickedly off a Kilkenny defender. 7
Paul Murphy: Like the rest of the Kilkenny defence, he was better in the second half when the pressure subsided, though was rarely caught out either. 7
Joey Holden: Picked up Joe Canning when the Galway colossus was located on the edge of the square and will be happy overall. Struggled at times in the first half, but was better after the break. All in all, a great season since taking over from JJ Delaney. 7
Shane Prendergast: The veteran Clara man was in trouble for a period on Conor Whelan, Galway’s teenage talent, and leaked two points. In his first final, he improved as the game wore on. 7
Pádraig Walsh: Tommy Walsh’s younger brother was steady and dependable, starting on Johnny Glynn and happy to see the Galway half-forward held scoreless. 7
Kieran Joyce: The defender wasn’t at his best in the first half as Kilkenny found themselves under real pressure, particularly between the 20th and 30th minutes. 6
Cillian Buckley: A real leader for Kilkenny this season. Cleared plenty of ball when Kilkenny were under pressure. Struggled a little, initially, on Jason Flynn, but kept a clean sheet after the break. 7
Michael Fennelly: Another huge performance from the former Hurler of the Year, who has been struggling all season with a serious back injury. He powered through a ton of good work around the middle third and gave Kilkenny a vital platform in the area. 8
Conor Fogarty: Kilkenny’s unheralded, but ultra-reliable midfielder delivered again. It wasn’t a performance for the ages, but his industry was excellent and, like Fennelly beside him, he delivered two important points. 7
Richie Hogan: The Danesfort dynamo wasn’t nearly as influential as normal and he was one of only two Kilkenny players to be taken off. It later emerged he had a quad injury. He did, at least, score two points. 6
TJ Reid: See Star Man
Colin Fennelly: Held scoreless for the first 64 minutes, but was a ball of industry throughout and escaped his man for two late points that helped Kilkenny put Galway in the rear view mirror. 7
Ger Aylward: Started brilliantly, with a point from an acute angle out on the left-wing, but the rookie couldn’t maintain that high standard. Taken off and replaced by John Power. 6
Walter Walsh: Started in the full-forward line, but spent much of the afternoon in a deeper role as he foraged for possession. Struck two points, both in the final 20 minutes, as he helped his team turn the screw on the Tribes men. 7
Eoin Larkin: The experienced James Stephens' clubman hasn’t been at his best this summer. But this was one of his better games as he battled hard for loose ball and weighed in with three important points. 7
SUBSTITUTES
Richie Power: Finally returned to action after a long-term injury that scuppered his summer. Came on for Richie Hogan and had an influential 10 minutes or so as he set up one point for Michael Fennelly and went close with an attempt himself. 7
John Power: Came on for Aylward eight minutes from time and got on a couple of balls in his time on the pitch. Lent enthusiasm and fresh legs to a storming final few minutes. 6
GALWAY
Colm Callanan: No chance with TJ Reid’s goal. His puck-outs through the first half were excellent and on target, but once his outfield players came under pressure in the second half, they were not as effective. 8
Johnny Coen: Figured in a controversial foul just before half-time, bringing a yellow card. His defending was solid and his clearances always excellently placed. 8
John Hanbury: Did a solid job on both Walter Walsh and Colin Fennelly. Held his own in front of goal, getting in some huge clearances like the old traditional full-backs. 8
Pádraig Mannion: Recovered from his semi-final display and did not cough up any scores. He linked up well with his colleagues to deny his opposite number with some solid defending. 7
Aidan Harte: One first half point attempt from a scoreable position. Surprisingly substituted after just 24 minutes. 6
Iarla Tannian: Switched to left half-back on the throw-in. A fierce competitor in the first half, a period in which he caught several high balls. One of his side’s stand-out defenders, despite the power of the winners’ full-back line. 8
Daithí Burke: A combative and mobile defender. Got onto lots of ball, but his deliveries out of defence were not as accurate as expected. Failed to reach the heights of previous games. 6
Andy Smith: Revelled in the physical challenges in the first half despite a blood injury, which forced his second half substitution. Lost the second half battle with Michael Fennelly, which was crucial to the eventual outcome. 7
David Burke: Gave a classic first half midfield display. Burst into the action on several occasions with a huge work-rate, but faded through the second period. His display over the 70 minutes was huge. 8
Conor Whelan: His lack of experience came back to haunt him the second half. Had two goals chances, but failed to capitalise. Got on the ball, but unable to utilise this possession. 6
Cyril Donnellan: Worked hard throughout the first half. Had a tremendous battle with Kieran Joyce. Picked off some neat first half scores, but was unable to carry the threat through the second period. Called ashore in the second half. 7
Jonathan Glynn: His workrate could not be faulted, but he struggled on the ball. Solid under the high ball, but failed to make an impact. 6
Jason Flynn: Superb accuracy in the first half, with three huge pointed frees from over 80 metres, while his point from play was unbelievable. Once curtailed in the second half, much of the scoring power was taken out of the attack. Replaced late on. 7
Joe Canning: Contributed so much through the opening 35 minutes, but suffered from lack of second half quality ball. A danger in front of goal, but was starved of quality ball in the second half. A real handful in the first half and a superb free-taker. They failed to utilise him in the second half. 8
Cathal Mannion: Has been a breath of fresh air this year. Could not escape the tight marking of Paul Murphy and was unable to impose his repertoire of skills. 6
SUBSTITUTES
David Collins: Turned in a fine performance after being introduced in the first half. Picked off two excellent long-range points. 7
Conor Cooney: Introduced in the 55th minute, but failed to make an impact. Struck one bad wide when his side needed a score. 6
Greg Lalley: Only introduced for closing six minutes. Not on long enough to be rated.
Shane Maloney: Came into the game five minutes from the end, but never got on the ball. Not on long enough to be rated.
STAR MAN
TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
Another excellent display from the Ballyhale Shamrocks attacker, who is a certainty to be named Hurler of the Year. His 1-8 haul was mainly delivered from placed balls, though, like the semi-final, he took his goal superbly.
