Galway 1-21

Kilkenny 2-11

Dean Reilly's first half goal sent Galway on their way to victory over Kilkenny in their All-Ireland MHC quarter-final round two clash at Semple Stadium.

Donal O'Shea also starred with a 10-point haul for the Irish Press Cup holders who will face either Tipperary or Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final on the weekend of July 28/29. The last semi-final spot will go to either Kilkenny or Limerick who meet in a winner-takes-all clash next weekend.

Galway, who enjoyed a comfortable victory over Limerick in their championship opener, dominated the first half to take a 1-14 to 2-3 lead into the break. O'Shea opened his account inside the opening 40 seconds before Kilkenny equalised through Cathal O'Leary. The Tribesmen then took control with five unanswered points per O'Shea, Keelan Creaven, Jason O'Donoghue, Diarmuid Kilcommins and Reilly before O'Leary revived the Cats with a 20th minute goal following a mistake by Galway 'keeper Patrick Rabbitte.

Conor Kelly and George Murphy tagged on points to reduce the deficit to the minimum, 1-3 to 0-7, before Reilly and Ciaran Brennan raised green flags at either end.

But Galway then hit another purple patch which yielded seven points without reply to lead by eight at the interval.

Kilkenny resumed with scores from Jamie Young and Kelly before substitute Dan Coogan had a goal disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Rabbitte in the 41st minute. 

That proved to be a huge moment as Galway's advantage was never threatened thereafter.

Galway - P Rabbitte; M Flynn, S Jennings, I McGlynn; S Quirke, S Neary, E Duggan; O Flannery, J O'Donoghue (0-2); D Kilcommins (0-2), S McDonagh, O Flannery (0-2); K Creaven (0-1), D O'Shea (0-10, 9f, 1'65), D Reilly (1-4). Subs: A Brett for S McDonagh, C Flahery for I McGlynn, N Collins for J O'Donoghue, C Cunningham for K Creaven.

Kilkenny - J Brennan; P Dempsey, J Young (0-1), C Korff; J Harkin, S Staunton, D Maher; C Rudkins, C Kelly (0-7, 4f, 2'65); W Halpin, C Kenny, G Murphy (0-2); C O'Leary (1-1), C Brennan (1-0), J Morrissey. Subs: J Buggy for W Halpin, D Crehan for C Korff, D Coogan for C Rudkins, K Hogan for G Murphy.

Referee - C Canning.

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