NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE - DIVISION 1A/Galway ... 0-15 Kilkenny ... 0-9: The introduction of Joe Rabbitte at half-time was a telling factor in Galway's six-point win over Kilkenny at Ballinasloe yesterday. The visitors had reduced the Tribesmen's lead to a solitary point at the interval and promised great things on the turnover when they would have a strong breeze on their backs.
But Kilkenny were reduced to 14 men when left half forward John Hoyne was sent off in the 45th minute after a reckless pull on Liam Hodgins. Hoyne, who was booked in the first half, got his marching orders and there ended Kilkenny's hopes.
Four Henry Shefflin points - all from frees - were the visitors' return in the second half and overall they scored only two points from play - not a true indication of a good performance.
After pointing three frees in the opening half, Galway full forward Eugene Cloonan caused concern among the home support in a crowd of about 3,000 when he shot three wides at the end of the half.
Failure to take their scores had resulted in Galway having to settle for the narrowest of leads at the interval, 0-6 to 0-5.
They were three points up before Derek Lyng had Kilkenny's first score in the 10th minute and after that Kevin Broderick stretched the home lead. Kilkenny's Martin Comerford fielded a great ball only to see his shot come off the woodwork. Hoyne was booked for a foul in the 12th minute on Brian Higgins and Shefflin shot wide when a score seemed certain.
Cloonan and Shefflin exchanged points before Eddie Brennan showed a clean pair of heels to Ollie Canning and put Paul Sheehan through for Kilkenny's last score from play.
Cloonan and Shefflin (two) had points from frees before the end of the half.
Even though beaten at midfield, Galway had a solid defence. Up front, however, they found the going tough. It was not until they had a numerical advantage following Hoyne's dismissal in the second half that Broderick, Damien Hayes and substitutes Rabbitte and Francis Forde found the space to show their skills.
Shefflin put Kilkenny on level terms in the fourth minute of the second half after Lyng and Cummins shot wides. Cloonan hit back with a free and two minutes later Hoyne was sent off and the floodgates opened.
Rabbitte made a huge impression at centre forward, where his height and strength were vital. In his first senior outing Damien Hayes proved as elusive as Broderick for the losers' defence, while John Culkin, Cathal Moore and Brian Higgins were proving their mettle in defence.
Noel Hickey at full back performed admirably on Cloonan, while Paul Cahill and Pat Tennyson worked hardest for Kilkenny.
Despite their best efforts, Derek Lyng, Hoyne (up to his dismissal) , Eddie Brennan and Martin Comerford found the Galway defence unyielding.
Kilkenny came with great expectations, total commitment and a hunger for victory, but the events of the second period saw their best endeavours washed back to Noreside.
GALWAY: P Cummins; G Kennedy, C Moore, O Canning; B Higgins, L Hodgins, J Culkin; R Gantley (0-1), R Murray; D Tierney (0-1), O Fahy, K Broderick (0-2); D Hayes (0-2), E Cloonan (0-6, frees), F Healy. Subs: J Rabbitte (0-1) for Fahy; F Forde (0-2) for Murray; N Hayes for Healy; S Morgan for Gantley.
KILKENNY: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, TJ Delaney; P Cahill, A Cummins, P Barry; R Mullally, P Tennyson; H Shefflin (0-7, frees), D Lyng (0-1), J Hoyne; E Brennan, M Comerford, P Sheehan (0-1). Subs: B Dowling for Sheehan; K Power for Mullally; D Byrne for Lyng.
Referee: P Horan (Offaly).
