Round-up: Fulfil Leinster U-20 HC

​​Fulfil Leinster U-20 hurling championship, Round 3

Tier 1, Group 1

Galway 2-18 Kilkenny 1-19

Wexford 5-28 Kildare 2-14

Tier 1, Group 2

Laois 2-18 Meath 2-13

Dublin 4-23 Offaly 0-15

By Paul Keane

It took Galway a while to catch fire in their Fulfil Leinster U-20 HC showdown with Kilkenny but when they did, they burned off the holders in Portlaoise.

Trailing by five points approaching the interval, a Galway side starting without senior stars Jason Rabbitte and Evan Niland were chasing inspiration.

And it duly arrived in the form of two goals, from Darragh Counihan and Brian Callanan, in the space of three minutes to propel them on to victory, top spot in Group 1 and automatic qualification for the provincial semi-finals.

Kilkenny led by 0-8 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter in Portlaoise thanks in part to points from free-taker Patrick Lacey, who finished with 1-7, Ed Lauhoff and Ed McDermott.

And they were still five clear approaching the interval but the Counihan and Callanan goals in the 28th and 31st minutes changed the game.

They shoved Galway 2-8 to 0-12 clear at half time and the westerners led from there to full time.

Jack Shaughnessy and Loughrea star Cullen Killeen were among the Galway point scorers as they stretched the gap to six in the third quarter, 2-14 to 0-14.

Galway needed that cushion because holders Kilkenny redoubled their efforts in the final 15 minutes or so, fighting back to make it a one-point game late on.

Jake Mullen, younger brother of senior star Adrian, Ollie O'Donovan and Sean Bergin pinched points before Lacey netted from a penalty for Kilkenny.

That goal left a point between the teams but Galway, who brought on Athenry and Galway senior Rabbitte, got an insurance score from Shaughnessy right at the death.

It means Galway have finished top of Group 1 with three wins from three and they are through to a May 13 semi-final.

Kilkenny's loss, allied to Wexford's five-goal win over Kildare, means Wexford have stolen third place by virtue of scoring difference from Kilkenny.

So Kilkenny will have the slightly more difficult quarter-final against Offaly on Monday, May 4 while Wexford will play Laois the same day.

In Group 2, Dublin finished with three wins from three after overcoming 2024 provincial winners Offaly.

Tommy Cullen and Darragh Kilduff struck first half goals for the Dubs who led by 2-12 to 0-9 at half time.

Senan Bolger added two more in the second half as Fintan Clandillon's side ran riot.

As a result of the loss, Offaly finished second in Group 2 and will have that tricky quarter-final tie against the Cats.

There was intrigue at the foot of Group 2 also as the winner of the Laois v Meath game would secure the last quarter-final berth.

Laois took the win but for the third game running it was a gutsy performance from Meath. Patrick O'Callaghan and Cormac Byrne goals propelled Laois to a 2-10 to 1-8 lead at the break.

A second Meath goal during the third quarter gave them hope again but Ruaidhrí Kavanagh, Byrne, Conor Headen and Justin Duggan made sure of the Laois win with points.