Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

GALWAY 1-23 WEXFORD 0-17

By Ronan Fagan at Innovate Wexford Park

Joe Canning produced a man of the match display on his landmark 50th championship outing for Galway when shooting 0-12 to lead the defending All-Ireland champions to qualification for a fourth successive Leinster final after comfortably seeing off Wexford.

Canning, who limped off with an injury in the closing stages, was prominent, even chipping in with two sideline-cuts, while Aidan Harte offered tremendous security at the back as 'sweeper' to help hold Wexford at bay in front of a 14,500 attendance.

Wexford are now facing a shoot-out away to Kilkenny next Saturday to determine who faces Galway in the Leinster final, although Wexford can afford the luxury of a draw given their 14 point advantage over the Cats in score-difference.

Galway maintained their vigorous form from the previous weekend's victory over Kilkenny as they quickly sunk their claws into the Wexford challenge to charge clear by 1-1 to 0-0 within 90 seconds. Conor Cooney pointed in advance of wing-back Pádraic Mannion breaking through on goal only to force a save before Conor Whelan swept home the rebound.

While the gap extended to five points, the home-side, despite losing out physically, fought back to share the next 12 points and be adrift by 1-8 to 0-6 after 24 minutes, with Rory O'Connor hitting three scores for Wexford while Joe Canning was to the fore for the defending champions.

Conor Cooney and captain David Burke extended the gap to 1-10 to 0-6 after 28 minutes. But while Joe Canning pointed a line-ball, Wexford maintained hope at half-time as they broke within 1-12 to 0-9 after late incisions from Rory O'Connor (2) and Paul Morris.

Galway returned in ever menacing form as Joe Canning was inches wide with a gilt-edged goal chance shortly after the restart. But the sharpshooter remained prominent when adding six further points – including another sideline cut – as the All-Ireland champions established firm control by 1-19 to 0-12 after 58 minutes.

Wexford didn't lack spirit, but they could never find the cutting edge to find a route back into contention as Galway prevailed with some comfort despite losing defender Adrian Tuohey to a red-card in the closing stages for a foul on Harry Kehoe.

**Scorers for Galway: **Joe Canning 0-12 (8fs, 2 sidelines), Conor Whelan 1-2, Conor Cooney 0-4, David Burke 0-2, Joseph Cooney, Niall Burke, Jason Flynn (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Rory O'Connor 0-12 (10fs), Paul Morris, Aidan Nolan 0-2 each, Pádraig Foley 0-1.

GALWAY: James Skehill; Aidan Harte, Daithi Burke, John Hanbury; Pádraic Mannion, Gearóid McInerney, Adrian Tuohy; Johnny Coen, David Burke; Joseph Cooney, Joe Canning, Cathal Mannion; Conor Whelan, Jonathan Glynn, Conor Cooney.

Subs: Paul Killeen for McInerney (temp., 45), Jason Flynn for Glynn (54), Niall Burke for J Cooney (58), Brian Concannon for C Mannion (66), Seán Linnane for Hanbury (68), Davy Glennon for Canning (69, inj).

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Simon Donohoe, Liam Ryan, Damien Reck; Diarmuid O'Keeffe, Matthew O'Hanlon, Pádraig Foley; Kevin Foley, Shaun Murphy; Jack O'Connor, Rory O'Connor, Lee Chin; Aidan Nolan, Conor McDonald, Paul Morris.

Subs: Conor Firman for Donohoe (HT), Liam Óg McGovern for J O'Connor (48),Harry Kehoe for K Foley (51).

REFEREE:  Johnny Murphy (Limerick).