ALL- IRELAND MINOR FINAL: Kittens will have to upset the odds to see off the boys from Galway
By COLIN BARTLEY
NOT only are the Cats challenging for hurling’s biggest prize, but the Kittens are also out to make a piece of history of their own.
Kilkenny face Galway in the minor decider, the curtain-raiser to the main event.
Galway are seeking to make it three minor titles on the trot, and already have a win over Kilkenny in this year’s championship.
In one of the games of the year, Galway beat Kilkenny by a goal in a game where the Kittens were down by 12 points at one stage. They staged a miraculous recovery to take the lead late into the second half but he Galway boys eventually prevailed by the odd goal in five.
Galway are unbeaten at this level since Tipperary beat them in the 2016 semi-final, and go into tomorrow’s match as deserved favourites. Kilkenny’s comeback against them in the quarter-final must give them grounds for hope.
Throw in for the minor final is 1 pm.
Kilkenny Minors (v Galway) – Aidan Tallis (Lisdowney); Billy Reid (Glenmore), William Halpin (Slieverue), Tristan Roche (St Martins); Peter McDonald (Thomastown), Padraic Moylan (Dicksboro), Zach Bay Hammond (Thomastown); Liam Moore (Dickboro), James Aylward (Mooncoin); Pierce Blanchfield (Graiguenamanagh), Timmy Clifford (Dickboro), Colman O’Sullivan (Tullogher Rosbercon); Billy Drennan (Galmoy), Jack Doyle(Windgap), Ian Byrne (Glenmore).
Subs – Alan Rafter (St Lachtan’s), Andy Hickey (Dunamaggin), Denis Walsh (Dunamaggin), Braedon Wheeler (Piltown), Aran Murphy (Dickboro), Seanán Doyle (Black & Whites), Padriag Foley (Windgap), John McNamara (O’Loughlin Gaels), James O’Keeffe (James Stephens).
