Galway were convincing winners over Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium in Round 6 of the National Hurling League, putting 35 points on the board to claim another two important league points on Saturday evening.
Galway's 0-15 to 0-9 lead at the break was thoroughly deserved. The home side started at a blistering pace, with Cathal Mannion opening the scoring straight away. Aaron Niland had five points by the 12th minute, with the Clarinbridge man helping his side to a 0-7 to 0-4 lead at that stage. Nice passing play set up Darragh Neary for a goal-scoring opportunity on 16 minutes, which was blocked, but Cathal Mannion picked up the pieces and raised a white flag. Rory Burke and the high-flying Clarinbridge talisman Niland had Galway five in front with six minutes remaining in the half. Niland and Tom Monaghan pointed either side of a Cian Kenny free for Kilkenny, to see the sides go into the break with six between them.
Cathal Mannion and Niland continued Galway's blistering pace at the start of the second half with a quickfire double, before Tiernan Killeen and a sideline cut from Rory Burke had Micheal Donoghue's men up ten points. This gap was still intact on 56 minutes before Galway decided to finish with a bang. Conor Whelan, Burke with another two and Cathal Mannion made it double scores with nine to play, when Aaron Niland was taken off after raising 13 white flags. Galway pushed on to leave a gap of 18 points in it at the final whistle.
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Commentary of the game was from Sean Walsh, Andy Coen, Cyril Farrell and Niall Canavan...
Kilkenny Manager Derek Lyng spoke to the media after the game...
Galway's Ronan Glennon spoke to Sean Walsh after the victory, and he said the squad are taking things game by game...
Sean Walsh, Andy Coen and Cyril Farrell reflect on Galway's comprehensive victory over Kilkenny in the National Hurling League Division 1A at Pearse Stadium on Saturday evening...
The Galway Senior Hurling Manager, Micheal Donoghue, gave his thoughts to Sean Walsh after the game...
