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All Ireland Under
21 hurling championship Semi Final played in Semple Stadium, Thurles
on Saturday August 25th
Galway 4.21 Cork 2.18
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Three incredible saves by
goalkeeper James Skehill helped Galway to victory in a superb Erin's
All Ireland Under 21 semi final at Thurles. This was an epic contest
from start to finish: throw in 20 minutes of extra time, look at the
final score line, and still you won't be able to tell the story of
this match played in exemplary fashion by two superb teams. Galway
won it thru sheer power and a slice of good fortune. With three
minutes of normal time remaining and the game tied at 2.14 each,
Skehill denied John Halbert possibly a match winning goal with the
second of three blinding saves. Both teams swopted points to be tied
before substitute Stephen White pointed in injury time to give Cork
the lead and what looked to be the victory. However with game four
minutes into added time Shane O'Neill was harshly penalised for a
challenge on Kerril Wade and the Galway man duly converted the free
to send the game into extra time. Galway then put in a storming 20
minutes scoring 2.05 to Cork's 0.02 to book their place in the final
against Dublin on September 9th, the first meeting of the counties
in 35 years. While this was essentially a team effort, Galway will
forever be grateful to the brilliants of James Skehill, the
dominance of Ger Mahon and John Lee in defence and the skills of
Kerril Wade and Joe Canning in attack. Cork will wonder how it got
away, particularly in normal time. Having put a massive effort to
win the game in normal time, Cork were out on their feet in extra
time, as Galway's stronger bench in the persons of Conor Kavanagh,
John Greene and Barry Hanley proved its worth. The sides were level
seven times in this enthralling contest. Finian Coone kept Galway in
the contest in the first half with a lovely ground stroke for a
vital goal. Conor Kavanagh scored a vital goal and a points Canning
showed his class all through and was involved in everything that was
good for Galway contributing 7 points including a line ball.
Scorers: Kerril Wade 1.06, Joe Canning 0.07, Conor Kavanagh 1.02,
Finian Coone 1.00, Barry Hanley 1.00, Kevin Hynes 0.02, Sean Glynn
0.02, Keith Kilkenny 0.01, Noel Kelly 0.01.
Galway
Lineout: James Skehill Cappatagle, Alan Leach Kinvara, Paul
Loughnane Cappatagle, Ciaran O'Donovan Athenry, Martin Ryan
Kilconieron, John Lee Liam Mellows, Ger Mahon Kinvara, Keith
Kilkenny Kiltormer, Aiden Harte Gort, Sean Glynn Athenry, Kevin
Hynes Sarsfields, Finian Coone Mullagh, Noel Kelly Sarsfields, Joe
Canning Portumna, Kerril Wade Sarsfields.
Subs used: David Kennedy Ardrahan, Conor Kavanagh Kinvara, John
Greene Ardrahan, Barry Hanley Carnmore, Enda Collins Clarenbridge. |
