Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald signs autographs after the Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup win over Kilkenny.
Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup Semi-Finals
GALWAY 0-21 DUBLIN 1-17
WEXFORD 0-16 KILKENNY 0-13
By Paul Keane
Joe Canning rose to the occasion at Parnell Park with a stoppage time winner from a sideline cut to secure Galway's place in the Bord na Mona Walsh Cup final.
The former Hurler of the Year and ultra experienced forward came off the bench with just minutes to go and made a huge impact, sealing a final clash with Wexford next weekend.
Dublin had fought back from eight points down with 20 minutes to level it in the 73rd minute when their own super substitute Oisin O'Rorke converted back to back frees.
But just as they pushed for the winner they were suckered by Galway's heroic figure from Portumna who curled over a sideline ball from out on the right wing.
It ultimately separated the sides and prevented new Dublin manager Mattie Kenny from getting one over on his native county.
Cathal Mannion was terrific for Galway on the day and struck 10 points with half of those coming from frees.
John Hetherton top scored for Dublin with eight points but was dismissed late on as the hosts finished with 14.
Galway never trailed in the game and led for virtually all of it with Mannion and Sean Blehane helping them to move 0-3 to 0-0 clear early on.
Hetherton scored five of Dublin's eight first-half points from frees with Donal Burke and Eamon Dillon registering their only scores from play.
Galway led 0-15 to 0-8 at the interval and had seven different scores as they threatened to win at their ease.
They stretched their advantage to eight points after the third quarter at 0-18 to 0-10 following scores from Mannion, Blehane and Brian Concannon.
Joe Canning with young supporters after the game at Parnell Park.
But Dublin finally came roaring into the contest in the last 20 minutes with Hetherton providing tough to handle.
The big St Vincent's man had a goal ruled out but was involved minutes later in a move that led to Dublin winning a penalty and Sean Moran converting it.
That left them just two behind at 0-20 to 1-15 and O'Rorke levelled it with his two points although Canning ultimately had the final say.
Meanwhile, Padraig Foley's 0-7 haul and expert free-taking were the difference at Bellefield where Wexford held off Kilkenny to secure their place in the final.
Brian Cody's visitors led by a point mid-way through the second-half but were unable to seal the deal as Wexford rallied.
Foley, Aidan Nolan and Darmuid O'Keeffe all landed vital scores as Wexford opened up a 0-14 to 0-11 lead and retained that three-point advantage at full-time.
It's an important win for Davy Fitzgerald's side who suffered three defeats to the Cats in 2018; twice in the National League and also in the group stage of the Leinster championship.
Kilkenny handed opportunities to the likes of Huw Lawlor and Ger Malone while James Stephens man Niall Brassil came on in the second-half.
Experienced duo Paul Murphy and Richie Hogan also appeared as substitutes for Kilkenny in the defeat.
Kilkenny led by 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time though both sides lost men to dismissals early in the second-half, Liam Blanchfield walking for Kilkenny and Jack O'Connor for Wexford.
