Galway held on for a slender 3-20 to 2-22 victory over Kilkenny in an action-packed clash at Nowlan Park.

The result - Kilkenny's first home championship defeat in 70 years - leaves the Leinster championship wide open going into next weekend’s last round of fixtures, with four teams still very much in the shake-up to advance to the All-Ireland series.

When Brian Concannon struck the winners' second goal in the 50th minute, Galway led by eight points, 2-19 to 1-14, but - with TJ Reid (2-11) prominent - the Cats closed back within three before having Paul Murphy dismissed for a second yellow-card offence.

Johnny Coen landed the third Galway goal and the visitors were reduced to 14 men when John Hanbury was dismissed, Kilkenny's Ger Aylward also heading for an early shower due to a second yellow.

Cathal Mannion slotted seven points for the westerners, who led by 1-13 to 1-10 at half time, and Conor Whelan blasted their first goal in the eleventh minute. But the hosts registered the last five of an absorbing contest through Reid (4) and Richie Leahy before running out of time as their grandstand finish came up just short.

Galway - C Callanan; J Hanbury, D Burke, A Harte; P Mannion, G McInerney, J Cooney; S Loftus, D Burke (0-1); C Mannion (0-8, 1f), J Glynn (0-1), A Tuohy (0-2); C Whelan (1-2), J Flynn (0-3, 0-2f), B Concannon (1-2). Subs: J Coen (1-1) for S Loftus, D Glennon for A Tuohy, N Burke for B Concannon, S Linnane for J Flynn.

Kilkenny - D Brennan (0-1f); P Murphy, H Lawlor, T Walsh; C Fogarty, P Walsh, P Deegan (0-1); A Murphy (0-1), R Leahy (0-2); A Mullen, B Ryan (0-3), TJ Reid (2-11, 0-6f, 0-1'65); B Sheehan (0-2), C Fennelly (0-1), G Aylward. Subs: R Hogan for A Mullen, J Holden for T Walsh, J Cleere for A Murphy, J Donnelly for B Sheehan.

Referee - C Lyons.

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