Kilkenny 2-16 Galway 2-15
Kilkenny recorded back-to-back All-Ireland minor hurling titles today after a thrilling one point victory over Galway at Croke Park.
Captain Richie Power was the hero for the Leinster side, scoring nine points in total (six frees) but, crucially, he provided the winning score in injury time to deny Galway.
Neither side started the game particularly well with both defences giving away needless frees all too often.
Indeed, the half turned into a free-taking exhibition with Power and Galway captain Niall Healy racking up the scores between them.
But ten minutes before the break the game suddenly burst into life with goalmouth action at both ends rousing the spectators in the stands.
First, Healy scrambled the ball over the Kilkenny line after 28 minutes to nab a one point lead.
But Kilkenny showed their true measure by swooping down field a minute later to net themselves - Eoin Guinan doing so well to create and score a tremendous individual effort.
Galway, however, rallied gamely and, in first half-injury time, scored their second goal through Niall Callanan. The half-forward smacked the ball home confidently following swift work and a neat lay-off from Healy.
Galway led 2-8 to 1-10 at half-time.
Typically, though, Kilkenny rallied strongly soon after the restart and quickly turned that one point deficit into a six point advantage.
But credit to Galway, who despite a brief lull, composed themselves midway through the half to summon an incredible fightback.
Healy and Callanan inspired the comeback and victory looked on the cards when Donal Reilly levelled with a minute to play to leave Kilkenny deflated.
But two minutes into injury-time, Kilkenny's captain fantastic stepped up to drive over a splendid score and with it the All-Ireland minor title for the second successive year.