Leinster SHC Final: Galway win first provincial title since 2018

Leinster SHC Final

Galway 4-29 Dublin 4-15

By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park

This was a particularly sweet Leinster SHC triumph for Galway.

Micheál Donoghue's collection of emerging and established players dovetailed nicely to secure a first provincial crown since 2018. An All-Ireland semi-final beckons next month for Galway, who were cool and composed in this decider.

Whatever questions Dublin posed, Galway found solutions. Everywhere somebody in maroon was delivering when it truly counted.

The experienced warriors contributed. Daithí Burke was an injury doubt, but produced a display of trademark defiance at full-back. The Mannion brothers were immense, providing leadership and moments of brilliance.

Tom Monaghan was splendid, rifling seven points from a variety of distances and angles. Conor Whelan, who set the tone with a gorgeous first minute point, was relevant throughout.

Galway thundered into the match following Whelan's early intervention with a delicious 12th minute goal illustrating the style being adopted in 2026. Inevitably Whelan was involved with Rory Burke, releasing the lively Darragh Neary to net.

That major put Galway 1-7 to 0-3 clear, but Dublin responded admirably. The gap was trimmed to the minimum, 1-9 to 1-8, when Conal Ó Riain struck a delightful Dublin goal. It was moving along at a nice clip.

Six of the remaining nine first half points, though, were struck by Galway, who departed 1-15 to 1-11 ahead at the interval.

After the restart Galway, with Monaghan and Whelan impressing, were 1-23 to 1-14 ahead by the 52nd minute.

Dublin were awarded a penalty when Whelan was deemed to have fouled John Hetherton. Whelan was black carded and Donal Burke buried the resultant penalty.

Despite being reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes, Galway continued to move the sliotar smartly. Aaron Niland and Neary raised white flags before Galway grabbed a goal from a penalty of their own.

Galway substitute Conor Cooney was fouled by Andrew Dunphy, who was black carded. Niland's conversion was clinical, guiding Galway 2-26 to 2-15 clear.

Further Galway damage was inflicted as a Cooney goal was subsequently followed by two immaculate Monaghan points.

Conal Ó Riain narrowed the gap with a Dublin goal, but Galway summoned a reply. Whelan clipped his fifth point and then Jason Rabbitte, who caused plenty of damage, released another Galway replacement, John Fleming to score a goal.

Whitely's nifty flick ensured Dublin pinched a fourth goal in the dying embers. It was Galway's evening at the Jones Road venue. Donoghue has the maroon and white team relevant again.

Scorers for Galway: Aaron Niland 1-8 (6fs), Tom Monaghan 0-7, Conor Whelan 0-5, Darragh Neary and Conor Cooney 1-1 each, John Fleming 1-0, Ronan Glennon and Cathal Mannion (1 sideline) 0-2 each, Tiernan Killeen, Jason Rabbitte, and Rory Burke 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Conal Ó Riain 2-1, Fergal Whitely and Donal Burke (1-0 pen, 3fs) 1-3 each, Conor Burke and Brendan Kenny 0-2 each, John Hetherton, Conor Donohoe, Seán Currie, and Ronan Hayes 0-1 each.

Galway: Darach Fahy; Cillian Trayers, Daithí Burke, Darren Morrissey; Ronan Glennon, Padraic Mannion, Cian Daniels; Cathal Mannion, Tiernan Killeen; Tom Monaghan, Conor Whelan, Darragh Neary; Jason Rabbitte, Rory Burke, Aaron Niland.

Subs: Conor Cooney for R Burke (13), Gavin Lee for Daniels (53), Joshua Ryan for Glennon (53), John Fleming for Killeen (60), Fintan Burke for D Burke (69).

Dublin: Eddie Gibbons; Conor McHugh, Paddy Smyth, Paddy Doyle; Chris Crummey, Liam Rushe, Conor Burke; Brian Hayes, Conor Donohoe; Fergal Whitely, Donal Burke, Darragh Power; Conal Ó Riain, John Hetherton, Brendan Kenny.

Subs: Ronan Hayes for Power (28), David Purcell for Kenny (35), Eoghan O'Donnell for Crummey (40), Seán Currie for Donohoe (48), Andrew Dunphy for Rushe (49), Diarmaid Ó Dulaing for Purcell (63).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).